UK appoints Wes Streeting as defence secretary in Andy Burnham's new cabinet

On 21 July 2026 Andy Burnham succeeded Keir Starmer as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, forming a Labour government after Starmer’s resignation. In his first cabinet reshuffle Burnham named former health secretary Wes Streeting as the new defence secretary, replacing Dan Jarvis, while Ed Miliband was appointed foreign secretary and John Healey took the chancellor’s post.

Streeting, 43, said the appointment would ensure that Britain’s armed forces receive the resources needed and reaffirm the country’s support for allies such as Ukraine. He also signalled a willingness to accelerate defence spending, though he stopped short of committing to the 3 % of GDP target advocated by Healey for 2030. Burnham’s government is also planning domestic reforms, including devolving powers to regions, cutting VAT on electricity bills and pursuing fiscal measures to strengthen the budget.

The reshuffle comes amid debates over the Defence Investment Plan and the need for additional savings to fund a modernised military. Streeting’s lack of direct military experience has attracted criticism, but the new Defence Secretary pledged to focus on deterrence, re‑industrialisation of defence production and innovation while maintaining Britain’s NATO commitments.