Failsworth MP Angela Rayner has been given new roles in the shadow cabinet.

Angela Rayner has been given new roles in Labour’s shadow cabinet.

The announcement comes shortly after news that Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon would be stepping down from his shadow cabinet role, following health issues.

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The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner has now been given new roles as the Shadow Deputy Prime Minister and Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Ms Rayner was previously Shadow First Secretary of State, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work.

Lisa Nandy, one of Sir Keir’s leadership rivals in 2020, was previously shadowing Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.

Sir Keir’s decision to create a new-look team comes as he uses Parliament’s return from the summer recess to further set out his vision for government.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the Opposition leader promised not to raise income tax if he wins the next general election, which is likely to be held next year.

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Sir Keir has backed away from tax rises since pledging to increase income tax for the top five per cent of earners during his leadership bid three years ago, instead emphasising his aim to secure the highest economic growth in the G7.

Jim McMahon, who had been expected to lose his position, told Sir Keir in a letter earlier today that he has faced “a number of personal challenges in the last year, coming back from a serious illness”.

Publishing his resignation letter on X (formerly Twitter), the Oldham West and Royton MP said he remains a “firm supporter of Keir” despite his decision to resign, with Sir Keir Starmer responding in kind with a letter saying he looked forward to working with the MP again in the future.

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Following the exchange, Labour announced Ms Rayner’s new shadow cabinet roles.

A Labour source said: “Keir is delighted that Angela has accepted this important role; in addition she will continue to be the strategic lead on Labour’s new deal for working people.”

Angela Rayner has been contacted for comment.

The pre-election shake-up comes on the same day that former top civil servant and partygate investigator Sue Gray starts her new role as the Labour leader’s chief of staff, according to the BBC.