Prefer Jewish News on Google
Jewish Labour peer promoted as Burnham unveils full ministerial team
Baroness Anderson takes on the roles of Northern Ireland minister and Lords Deputy Chief Whip
Jewish Labour peer Baroness Ruth Anderson has been promoted by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as Downing Street confirmed an extensive list of junior ministerial posts.
The former Stoke-on-Trent MP, who joined the Lords in 2022 after her determined fight against antisemitism under Jeremy Corbyn, now takes on the roles of Northern Ireland minister and Lords Deputy Chief Whip.
Lord Mike Katz, former Jewish Labour Movement national chair, has also been reappointed as a government whip.
Former Board of Deputies chief executive Baroness Gillian Merron continues as a health minister in the Lords.
In further appointments impacting the community, Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary, serving jointly in the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.
Other significant appointments include Alex Davies-Jones MP as Justice minister, Jo White as Immigration minister, Alison McGovern MP as Health minister, and Uma Kumaran MP as Foreign Office minister.
White replaced Mike Tapp, who had earlier confirmed on social media that he would no longer serve as a Home Office minister.
Bury South MP Christian Wakeford is also reappointed as a government whip, as is Baroness Ramsey in the Lords.
Both have played a leading role in standing up for the community and challenging antisemitism.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been made a lord and appointed minister in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Downing Street confirmed.
Lord Anas, who has led Scottish Labour since 2021, was among the first to call for Keir Starmer to stand down in February.
Among the new appointments is Ruth Mackenzie, director of arts at the British Council, who has been made a peer and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Former defence minister Al Carns said he has declined an offer to return to government, explaining that he cannot return until defence funding “has been settled”.
Matthew Patrick MP was also among those to leave the government.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
