Four MPs join Labour’s shadow levelling up team

Sir Keir Starmer has completed Labour's reshuffle, with the confirmation of four new shadow ministers in the levelling up team.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner became the new shadow levelling up secretary earlier this week and has brought three of her previous team with her.

Sarah Owen is continuing as local government shadow minister and Matthew Pennycook was previously confirmed as staying on as housing and planning shadow.

Jessica Studdert, deputy chief executive of the think tank New Local, told LGC: “Beefing up the team under Angela Rayner as deputy leader shows that this department will be core to the party’s future agenda. With former councillors comprising most of the team, the institutional understanding of local government is strong.”

Ms Owen's role also includes communities and faith and was described by Ms Rayner as "expanded", something Ms Studdert said was a "good sign" for the sector.

Alex Norris former shadow levelling up minister is now shadow minister for policing and has not been directly replaced, but four new roles have been created.

Ms Studdert added that "with no direct mirroring of the levelling up brief" and a new role focused on devolution "this indicates a shift away from the government’s rhetoric towards a more comprehensive approach nationwide”.

New appointments

Mike Amesbury, MP for Weaver Vale has returned to the team as shadow minister for building safety and homelessness.

Mr Amesbury resigned as shadow minister for local government in July 2022, saying he needed to spend more time helping constituents affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

Ms Rayner said his “years of experience” as being “invaluable” to the team.

Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East has been appointed shadow minister for the new deal for working people.

Mr Hussain previously served on Bradford City Council between 2002 and 2018 and was deputy leader of the council between 2010 and 2015.

Ms Rayner described him as a “tireless defender of workers’ rights”.

Florence Eshalomi MP for Vauxhall is the new shadow minister for democracy.

Ms Eshalomi previously had a shadow cabinet office role where she was Ms Rayner’s parliamentary private secretary.

She was also a former Lambeth LBC councillor, London Assembly member and was a member of the levelling up select committee until November 2022.

Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port & Neston was named as shadow minister for business, employment rights and levelling up (joint with business and trade).

Mr Madders, previously served as a councillor for Ellesmere Port and Neston BC between 1998 and 2009 and was council leader between 2007 and 2009.

Ms Rayner described Mr Madders as “one of the most respected and knowledgeable voices in parliament on workers’ and trade union rights.”

Paula Barker also has a new role in the team, the MP for Liverpool Wavertree is the new shadow minister for devolution and the English regions. Since autumn 2022 she was homelessness shadow minister.

Ms Barker previously worked as a trade union official for Unison and took over from Ms Rayner as the North West Convenor.

She also has an extensive background in local government; previously working for Liverpool City Council, Knowsley Council and Halton BC respectively.