Andy Burnham, New UK Prime Minister, Names John Healey as Top Finance Official

Andy Burnham, Britain’s new prime minister, on Monday named John Healey as his chancellor of the Exchequer, a critical cabinet post overseeing the country’s finances and helping execute his vision to spread economic growth across the country.

Mr. Healey was recently defense secretary under the former government, though he resigned last month because he said the Treasury had not funded the military adequately. Little is known about Mr. Healey’s latest broad economic views. The role of chancellor is one of the most consequential in the British government, controlling how much money other government departments are given to spend and invest. The office and official residence is at No. 11 Downing Street, next door to the prime minister’s.

Still, Mr. Burnham has indicated that he intends to set the direction of policy and have other cabinet ministers follow his lead. The choice will be a surprise to many as Mr. Healey wasn’t considered a recent front-runner. But as a longtime member of Parliament, Mr. Healey is considered a well-respected political figure.

Mr. Burnham, who was named leader of the Labour Party on Friday, has yet to offer details on his economic plans, but he vowed to break from the policies of the past four decades. He has said he wants to give more power to local authorities to spur growth throughout the country. Mr. Burnham also wants to bring water, housing, energy and transportation under more public control. He is expected to take quick steps to ease the high cost of living, with the first announcements coming on Tuesday.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/business/andy-burnham-john-healey.html