Following the resignation of Wes Streeting from the UK goverment, James Murray has been appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care .
The appointment was announced in a post on the prime minister’s official page on X.
It stated: “The Rt Hon James Murray MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”
The MP for Ealing North has held several positions in both government and opposition, including Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury from October 2020 and Deputy Mayor of London for Housing.
Murray joined Keir Starmer’s cabinet as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury after the Labour Party won the 2024 general election, before being appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the 2025 cabinet reshuffle.
Reacting to the appointment on X, the new health secretary said he was “deeply honoured” to be appointed by the prime minister.
Expressing gratitude, he added: “Huge thanks to Rachel Reeves for my time as part of her fantastic team.”
He said he was “looking forward to continuing Wes Streeting’s brilliant work on such a critical mission for our country.”
The Department of Health and Social Care also welcomed the appointment in a post on X, saying it looked forward to working with him to “make the NHS fit for the future.”
Meanwhile, Lucy Rigby has been appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, replacing Murray.
She said she was “deeply honoured” to take up the role and looked forward to continuing the government’s work to build a stronger and more secure economy.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves congratulated Rigby and said the government would continue working to strengthen the economy.
She also wished Murray well in his new role at the Department of Health and Social Care.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting also expressed support for Murray’s appointment, saying he inherits “a wonderful team and an important mission” and giving him his full support.
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