Politics · 20 July 2026

John Healey named chancellor weeks after quitting cabinet

Andy Burnham has made John Healey his chancellor, handing the Treasury to a man who walked out of Keir Starmer's government just six weeks ago in a dispute over defence spending. He takes over from Rachel Reeves, who had held the post since Labour won power in 2024, and was the first of the new prime minister's picks to arrive in Downing Street.

By BriefTea Editorial · 20 July 2026 at 18:21

Reported by BBC News · How we write briefs

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What does the Chancellor do? What is defence spending? What is the Treasury? What was the defence spending dispute?

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