Starmer reshapes No 10 team, appoints Darren Jones as chief secretary to the prime minister

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Darren Jones to a new key role, naming him chief secretary to the prime minister as he reshuffles Downing Street staff ahead of Parliament's return.

Jones, who spent the past year as chief secretary to the Treasury, will move from his Treasury post into the newly created No 10 position, Downing Street said. The change is part of a wider rearrangement intended to strengthen the centre of government and support the prime minister's agenda as ministers face renewed scrutiny on migration and other high-profile issues.

James Murray, until now the exchequer secretary to the Treasury, will replace Jones at the Treasury. Murray's former post will be taken by Dan Tomlinson, an economist first elected as a Labour MP at last year's general election, Downing Street confirmed.

The reshuffle also includes a communications change: James Lyons, one of the prime minister's communications directors, is leaving after less than a year in the role, having been appointed in October. Downing Street did not say who would replace Lyons.

The personnel moves come after a politically difficult summer for the government, during which the news agenda was dominated by asylum and migration, including a record number of small boat crossings so far this year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is scheduled to make a statement to Parliament later, as ministers try to regain the initiative on the issue.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Sir Keir said the staff changes would make the centre of government "more powerful" and allow him to drive through decisions more effectively. Downing Street framed the appointments as part of an effort to streamline decision-making at the heart of government.

Labour officials said the changes were intended to bolster coordination between No 10 and Treasury at a time when the government faces several urgent policy challenges, including migration, the economy and public services. Jones's move from the Treasury to Downing Street is likely to place an experienced finance minister closer to the prime minister's immediate team.

The reshuffle will take effect as Parliament resumes sittings, with ministers preparing to face questions from MPs on migration and other matters. No further personnel announcements were made by Downing Street on Friday.

Observers said the appointments will be watched closely for their impact on policy delivery and communications, particularly given the pace of staff turnover in recent months. Labour's frontbench team has repeatedly pointed to the need for effective coordination between departments as it seeks to implement its legislative programme in the coming months.