Keir Starmer says 'we have a huge amount of work to do' as he holds first Cabinet meeting

From nationalising the railways to resolving junior doctors strikes, Labour's new Cabinet had a huge in-tray of issues as they met for the first time today, ITV News' Lewis Warner reports

Sir Keir Starmer told colleagues "we have a huge amount of work to do" as he held his first Cabinet meeting as prime minister today.

“It was the honour and privilege of my life to be invited by the King, His Majesty the King yesterday to form a government and to form the Labour Government of 2024," he told his newly appointed ministers. The prime minister's team are expected to start working on Labour's manifesto pledges today after the party's biggest election win since Tony Blair's victory of 1997.

Sir Keir made a raft of appointments on his first day at Number 10 yesterday and spoke with international leaders, including US President Joe Biden.

on Friday the prime minister confirmed Rachel Reeves as Britain’s first woman chancellor, Yvette Cooper as home secretary and David Lammy as foreign secretary. Angela Rayner officially became his deputy prime minister and retained the levelling up, housing and communities brief.

Sir Keir Starmer is met with applause as he holds his first Cabinet meeting on his first full day as prime minister

John Healey was named Defence Secretary; Shabana Mahmood Justice Secretary; Wes Streeting Health Secretary; Bridget Phillipson Education Secretary; and Ed Miliband Energy Secretary.

Sir Keir, the UK's first Labour prime minister since 2010, is expected to make more junior Cabinet appointments later today and to take calls from more world leaders and first ministers of the devolved nations.

Legislative priorities and the timing of any major policy announcements will also need to be worked out.

Sir Keir has signalled that at least three housing announcements could be made in the first two weeks of a Labour Government.

“The government has got to show that it’s taking charge immediately, and doing what’s necessary,” said Lord Robin Butler, who oversaw the transition as cabinet secretary when Labour swept into power in 1997.

Decisions such as allocating office space in No 10 – ill-suited to be a modern workplace with its maze-like layout – “have got to be decided on the first weekend because they’re necessary in order for people to start working”.

Sir Keir’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, who spent years at the top of the Civil Service, will likely be involved in decisions about how the prime minister will work, how the centre of government will be set up and his diary for the first few days – some of which will have been agreed in access talks.

What's on the agenda for Sir Keir Starmer's first month as prime minister?

Tuesday July 9-11

The new Parliament will be summoned to meet. The first business will be to choose a Commons Speaker – with Sir Lindsay Hoyle set to be re-elected. Congratulating the speaker will be Sir Keir’s first opportunity to speak at the despatch box as prime minister and he will likely offer some rhetoric on the future. Swearing-in could begin on the same day or the next and will continue for several days. MPs and peers will take the oath, with the government going first, followed by some other established figures. MPs are not allowed to speak in debates, vote or receive their salary until they make an oath or solemn affirmation of allegiance to the Crown. Just days after becoming prime minister, Sir Keir will be propelled onto the world stage, jetting to Washington DC for the Nato leaders’ summit which begins on Tuesday and finishes on Thursday. Issues will include what additional support should be given to Ukraine, the Middle East and the US election in November. Sir Keir may hold bilateral meetings with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden. Wednesday July 17 The King will preside over the pageantry of the State Opening of Parliament, marking the formal start of the new parliamentary session at the Palace of Westminster. A key component of the ceremony is the King’s Speech, where he sets out the government’s legislative programme for the coming session. The creation of Great British Energy and planning reform are expected to be at the forefront. No substantive parliamentary business can typically take place until after the speech is delivered. It is debated and voted on in the following days. Lord Butler said: “One of the biggest decisions which has to be taken, and is a collective decision, is the contents of the King’s Speech. Because they certainly can’t do all the legislation, all the things they promised in their first Parliament.” Thursday July 18 The UK is hosting a gathering of the European Political Community, the body that brings all 27 EU member countries together with 20 others from outside the bloc. Sir Keir will welcome about 50 heads of government to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, giving him an opportunity to set the tone for his Government’s approach to the UK’s relationship with the EU. While Labour has ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union, the party is seeking a better trade relationship with the bloc. Tuesday July 23 Before Mr Sunak called the election, this was when summer recess was scheduled to start. However, this would not leave enough time for the usual six sitting days to debate the King’s Speech. Sir Keir is expected to cut short the summer break, with MPs sitting until July 31.

After 649 of the 650 Commons seats had been declared, Labour had a majority of 176. Labour had 412 seats and the Tories 121, the worst result in the Conservative Party’s history. The Liberal Democrats won 71 seats, while Reform netted five. A recount in the last seat left to declare: Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire; will not start until 10.30am on Saturday, delaying the final result of the General Election. In his first speech on Downing Street, Sir Keir said the British people had voted “decisively for change” and that the country could “move forward together” as Labour took office following 14 years of Conservative rule. Pat McFadden, who played a central role in shaping Labour’s election campaign and was named Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said the new Cabinet would meet on Saturday.

Here is a summary of how Thursday night unfolded, leading to a huge majority for Labour and Keir Starmer becoming prime minister

Just days after his appointment, Sir Keir will be propelled onto the international stage, jetting to Washington DC for the Nato leaders’ summit, where discussions will include support for Ukraine.

He is also due to host the European Political Community summit in the UK on July 18. The prime minister has already spoken to US President Joe Biden and discussed their commitment to the special relationship between the UK and US, protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland and support for Ukraine.

Sir Keir also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reassured him of the “unwavering commitment” and said the UK would continue supplying defensive support. He had calls with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He also talked to Irish premier Simon Harris, who accepted an invitation to visit Downing Street on July 17 and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.

Lord O’Donnell, who served as Cabinet Secretary for six years, said: “His briefing pack will be extensive – Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East, the race for the US presidency, European defence spending. There is a lot to take in, and little time to prepare.”

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