Burnham unveils Cabinet as Josh MacAlister remains in post to drive reforms

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has unveiled his first Cabinet, confirming key ministerial appointments across education and health while retaining Josh MacAlister as Minister for Children and Families to continue delivering reforms arising from his Independent Review of Children's Social Care.

The former Mayor of Greater Manchester formally entered Downing Street following his election as Labour leader after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation, pledging to "bring back hope" and announcing an immediate national drive to end rough sleeping backed by an additional £340 million.

The funding, which takes overall investment in tackling rough sleeping to record levels, will support the delivery of 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people as part of a wider five-year programme aimed at ending long-term rough sleeping across the UK.

Speaking outside Number 10, Burnham said: "For too long, we’ve been told that ending rough sleeping will take decades or even that it’s impossible. I’m not having that.

"This is something a government can fix if it chooses to. Today, I’m choosing to.

"On my first day as Prime Minister, I’m announcing this government’s commitment to finally end long-term rough sleeping across the UK at the earliest opportunity.

"We’ll get to work immediately, bringing together national and local government with the investment needed to get it done.

"This is the kind of Britain I want us to be – a country where everyone has the security of a roof over their head, and where no one is left behind or written off. Let’s bring back hope."

Among the ministerial appointments most relevant to the social work profession, Lucy Powell has been appointed Secretary of State for Education, while Yvette Cooper takes over as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Powell said she was looking forward to delivering greater opportunities for children and young people.

"Every child, wherever they live, should grow up with opportunity on their doorstep.

"It was a privilege to walk through the door as Education Secretary to start that work."

Josh MacAlister will remain in the Department for Education as Minister for Children and Families, continuing oversight of the children's social care reform programme that stems from the recommendations of his landmark Independent Review of Children's Social Care.

Announcing his reappointment on social media site X, formerly Twitter, he said: "Delighted to be reappointed as an Education Minister by @andyburnham to serve in @LucyMPowell’s team."

He added: "As the Minister for Children and Families, we’ve made a lot of good stuff happen. In the months and years ahead there’s much more to come.

"I’ll keep making everyday count!"

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) welcomed Burnham's appointment and said it hoped to build on an established relationship with the new Prime Minister, who has previously addressed both the BASW England Conference and the Social Work in Disasters Conference.

The association said several priorities from its Manifesto for Social Work had been delivered under the previous government, including raising the mileage allowance rate, scrapping the two-child limit and introducing a new Mental Health Act, but argued further action was needed to strengthen the profession and improve outcomes for people using services.

BASW Interim Chief Executive Professor Sam Baron has written to the Prime Minister urging his new administration to prioritise issues including improving working conditions for social workers, exempting social workers from proposed earned settlement immigration rules, abolishing the National Age Assessment Board and abandoning plans to introduce AI facial age estimation technology.

She also called on the new government to pursue wider social and economic reform.

"People are scunnered with a political system that for too long hasn’t listened to them nor improved their living standards and life prospects. The country is crying out for a government that delivers progressive policies and ambitious action which addresses widening inequality and commits the resources sorely needed for social work and social care systems to function properly.

"BASW has had positive working relations with Mr Burnham in the past and his support and recognition of the vital role of social workers has been very welcome. He has also been a longstanding champion of the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, which BASW has similarly proudly supported.

"We look forward to reconnecting with him and his ministerial team to find opportunities for delivering our manifesto aims for a stronger social work profession, better working conditions, and a fairer society."