On the go: Jonathan Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, has landed the role of shadow work and pensions secretary, as part of a reshuffle of the shadow cabinet.
Ashworth has replaced Jonathan Reynolds in the work and pensions role, which the latter held for the past 18 months.
Most recently, Ashworth was shadow secretary of state for health and social care, a position he held since October 2016.
Taking to Twitter, Ashworth said: “I’m excited to be taking on the shadow work and pensions secretary brief.
“With child poverty rising, in-work poverty endemic, lack of meaningful support for people with disabilities, and often a raw deal for pensioners, this is a huge agenda and Labour will lead the campaign.”
Wes Streeting has been promoted to the shadow health secretary role, having held the role of shadow secretary of state for child poverty since May 2021.
Streeting said: “Delighted to have been appointed as shadow health and social care secretary.
“This year the NHS saved my life, and staff across health and social care are getting us through the worst pandemic in living memory. Labour created the NHS. We’ll make it fit for the future.”
In other moves, Yvette Cooper became shadow home secretary and David Lammy was promoted to shadow foreign secretary, replacing Lisa Nandy.
Cooper replaces Nick Thomas-Symonds, who takes over as shadow international trade secretary from Emily Thornberry.
In addition, former Labour leader Ed Miliband lost his shadow business secretary role to Reynolds.
Leader of the Labour party Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement: “The Labour party I lead is focused on the priorities of the country.
“With this reshuffle, we are a smaller, more focused shadow cabinet that mirrors the shape of the government we are shadowing.
“We must hold the Conservative government to account on behalf of the public and demonstrate that we are the right choice to form the next government.”
This article originally appeared on FTAdviser.com
