In a significant government reshuffle, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Darren Jones as chief secretary to the Prime Minister, a new role focused on overseeing government work and supporting the Prime Minister's priorities, based at No 10 Downing Street.

Jones, known for his reform-minded and fiscal hawk stance, will coordinate policy priorities and scrutinize departmental budgets, with James Murray set to replace him as Treasury chief secretary and act as Deputy to Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

This reshuffle also includes appointing Sir Keir Starmer's new chief of staff and director of communications, reflecting ongoing internal adjustments aimed at improving government focus and communication.

Meanwhile, Shafik, a prominent economist with extensive experience at the Bank of England, IMF, and the London School of Economics, left her role as Columbia University president in August 2024 after a turbulent tenure marked by protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, facing criticism from student groups and political figures.

Her appointment as chief economic adviser to Starmer aims to strengthen the government’s response to economic challenges, including a looming budget deficit estimated between £20bn and £40bn, and to build economic expertise ahead of the autumn budget.

Starmer’s government faces ongoing challenges such as boosting economic growth, controlling inflation, and managing immigration issues, including protests over asylum-seeker accommodations and the rising influence of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which campaigns against unauthorized migration.

Despite having few MPs, Reform UK leads in opinion polls and continues to campaign on reducing migrant crossings via the English Channel, reflecting broader political tensions and public concerns.

Starmer’s team is also establishing a separate high-level economic advisory unit from the Treasury to provide independent economic counsel amid criticism of poor communication and declining poll ratings.

Starmer’s government recruited Baroness Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser to enhance economic expertise, especially ahead of key fiscal decisions in the upcoming autumn budget.

There have been multiple high-profile departures from No 10, including Sue Gray and Matthew Doyle, indicating some instability within the Prime Minister’s team, though no immediate ministerial reshuffle is planned for early September.

Insiders confirm that despite rumors, no early reshuffle of junior ministers is scheduled after MPs return from summer recess, as the government focuses on addressing economic and political challenges.

To improve internal communication, Tim Allan has been appointed as the government’s executive director of communications, following the departure of James Lyons, who was responsible for strategic communications.

Nin Pandit, the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary, will leave his role to lead key priorities at No 10, with Daniel York-Smith replacing him amid ongoing internal adjustments.