Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer made changes to his leadership team following the dramatic resignation of his former deputy Angela Rayner, who was found to have breached the ministerial code after admitting underpaying stamp duty on a property.

As a result, Emma Reynolds has taken over as secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, with Steve Reed vacating the role to become housing secretary.

The Wycombe MP has risen rapidly up the ministerial ranks since regaining her seat last year, being brought into the Treasury team as pensions minister, then City minister.

National Farmers' Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw met the new secretary on the first day of her new role at Defra.........

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