As Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle returns to Defra, where she will undertake a range of responsibilities, including budget management, international relations, senior appointments and economic growth.

Previously, she held the position of Minister of State at Defra from 6th September 2025 to 12th June 2026, before moving to the position of Minister of State at both the Home Office (Security Minister) and the Cabinet Office from 12th June.

Eagle was the Minister of State (Minister for Border Security and Asylum) at the Home Office from 8th July 2024 to 6th September 2025.

The Cabinet changes come as Andy Burnham was appointed Prime Minister following Keir Starmer’s resignation. In his first Cabinet, Burnham moved previous Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds into a role as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, working for the new Chancellor, John Healy.

FDF calls for PM to provide the means to upskill communities

Karen Betts, chief executive of The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), commented: “Many congratulations to Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister. It’s been encouraging to see him recognise the critical role that food production plays in all of our lives.

“Food and drink manufacturers stand ready to work with the new Prime Minister and his team to ensure that together we are building the resilient, cutting-edge food system our country needs. That means urgently creating the conditions for innovation, growth and investment in skills, which will in turn drive renewed prosperity in communities everywhere across the UK.”