Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood have been re-appointed by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham in his opening ministerial reshuffle.
Following his entry to 10 Downing Street on Monday, Mr Burnham has also retained Lord Hendy as Minister of State in the Department for Transport (DfT).
However, Under-Secretary of State Lilian Greenwood will move to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Ms Alexander has led the DfT since the resignation in November 2024 of Louise Haigh, who has now returned to government as First Secretary of State.
Mr Lightwood, who was named Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in Keir Starmer’s first government appointments in July 2024, will also serve as Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Rail Minister and former bus operator executive Lord Hendy was another of Mr Starmer’s first appointments.
Aviation Minister Keir Mather is similarly retained in the department.
Justin Madders, formerly a minister in the Department for Business and Trade under Mr Starmer, re-enters government as Under-Secretary of State at the DfT.
Ms Greenwood, who was Shadow Secretary of State for Transport in 2015-6, leaves the transport arena, having held responsibilities including local transport, and violence against women and girls in Mr Starmer’s government.
Richard Smith, Managing Director of haulage and coach trade body RHA, says: “Following the latest ministerial appointments, we welcome Simon Lightwood MP and Keir Mather MP back to the Department for Transport, both of whom we have built positive and constructive relationships with.
“We are sorry to see Lilian Greenwood MP leave the Department and thank her for her engagement with the RHA and our sector.
“We also look forward to working with Justin Madders MP in his new role and continuing our constructive engagement with ministers across Government.
“There is a great deal on the agenda for our sector, and we will continue to ensure the priorities and experiences of HGV, coach and van operators are heard at the heart of government.
“We look forward to building on the progress already made and continuing these important conversations.”
