Anas Sarwar reportedly set to leave Scottish Labour leader role for ministerial post
6 reported
According to reports cited by media including the Scottish Sun, Anas Sarwar is expected to step down as Scottish Labour leader to become a minister in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government. Sarwar is reportedly set to be elevated to the House of Lords to take up a ministerial position at the revamped Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which is headed by Jonathan Reynolds. The report comes as Burnham held the first meeting of his new cabinet, telling ministers the government will be a “cost-of-living government” and must examine “all possible ways” to help families struggling with high costs. Burnham has also created a new Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, led by his ally Louise Haigh, which will oversee operations in London, the forthcoming No 10 North in Manchester, and parts of the Cabinet Office. The prime minister has dismissed the prospect of “further referendums” in calls with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Additionally, Downing Street has insisted that Burnham’s plan to cut VAT from electricity bills is fully funded, with the cost covered by the cancellation of the digital ID programme.
What’s reported
Anas Sarwar is set to quit as Scottish Labour leader to be a minister in Andy Burnham’s government, according to reports.
Sarwar is expected to be elevated to the Lords to take up a ministerial post at the revamped Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, headed by Jonathan Reynolds.
Andy Burnham told his new cabinet that they needed to examine “all possible ways” to help families struggling with high costs.
Burnham created the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, to be led by Louise Haigh.
Burnham dismissed the prospect of “further referendums” in calls with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Downing Street said the plan to cut VAT from electricity bills is fully funded, with the £1.8 billion cost of the digital ID scheme cancelled to fund it.
Key figures
Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader (reportedly set to quit)
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
Jonathan Reynolds, head of the revamped Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
Louise Haigh, leader of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
John Healey, Chancellor
Wes Streeting, Defence Secretary
Yvette Cooper, Health Secretary
Alex Norris, Justice Secretary
Nick Timothy, Shadow Justice Secretary
Jordan Bardella, president of France’s National Rally
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK
Chris O’Shea, group chief executive of Centrica (British Gas owner)
Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House of Lords
Sources: The Guardian
