Andy Burnham promotes Kanishka Narayan to UK Cabinet as AI minister

London,UPDATED: Jul 21, 2026 15:26 IST

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday finalised his top team within hours of taking charge at 10 Downing Street, promoting British Indian minister Kanishka Narayan to the Cabinet as Minister for AI and retaining Lisa Nandy with an expanded brief. Burnham also removed several senior ministers associated with his predecessor Keir Starmer.

Burnham, who was invited by King Charles to form the government, began unveiling the ministers who will sit around the Cabinet table soon after taking office. Among the key appointments, Narayan was elevated from his earlier junior ministerial role, while Nandy kept her department and took on additional responsibility for digital services as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Narayan said his promotion, with the AI role falling jointly within the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, reflected the new prime minister's "deep commitment to AI's importance". "AI is likely the most significant technology in human history. Its impact will dwarf other things. The best case for it is compelling beyond our dreams: a reindustrialised Britain, stronger national security, public services transformed for the better," he said.

He also spoke about concerns around the technology. "The risks, too, are real: it is right that the British public shares those worries, for jobs, for the pace of change. The central fact is that it is happening. Nations have a narrow window to decide whether they shape AI or get shaped by it. Britain is in that window right now," he said. The 36-year-old Bihar-born Labour MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, elected in July 2024 as the first Indian-origin member of Parliament from Wales, said he would act with "pace and ambition" and "focus relentlessly on securing British influence in shaping AI".

Narayan also referred to his personal journey. "I will also bring to this job the place I represent – a constituency in Wales, a nation with industry and ambition at its heart, a proud history of punching above its weight on the global stage. A nation which welcomed a 12-year old and his family, gave us the best chance at opportunity, put me in Parliament as Wales' first ethnic minority MP, and now affords me the chance to make a mark in Cabinet," he said. With roots in Muzaffarpur, his family moved to Cardiff when he was a little boy. He studied at Oxford and Stanford universities, worked in the private sector before entering politics, and has often spoken about the importance of India-UK ties. Addressing the India All Party Parliamentary Group last month, he said: "The question being asked is one of policy continuity in a slightly transitioning political moment; on this question, I feel absolutely convinced that the stability of the depth of our relationship (with India) is a stability we'll continue to see in the months and years ahead."

Meanwhile, Nandy was reappointed to the role she has held since July 2024, with added responsibility for digital services. The 44-year-old, born in Manchester to Calcutta-born academic Dipak Nandy and English mother Luise Byers, is a close ally of Burnham and represents neighbouring Makerfield in Wigan. Before Burnham's elevation from Greater Manchester mayor to prime minister, she had backed him as being "faster and bolder" on Labour's reform agenda.

Among the other key appointments, Shabana Mahmood retained her role as Home Secretary, calling it "the best job in the business". "We have begun the work of major reform to make our streets safer and our immigration system fair for all. Now let's finish the job," she said after meeting Burnham. Jonathan Reynolds, who oversaw the completion of the India-UK free trade agreement last year with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, returned to the trade brief in an expanded Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. Referring to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement entering into force last week, Goyal said: "I look forward to partnering with you once again to build on this momentum and strengthen investment flows, mobility provisions, and the shared vision of our leaders for a modern, resilient trade corridor between our two nations."

Former defence secretary John Healey was elevated to Chancellor of the Exchequer, while former energy minister Ed Miliband became Foreign Secretary. Yvette Cooper moved from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to Health and Social Care, and Wes Streeting took over as Defence Secretary. Burnham also dropped several of Starmer's senior ministers, including former deputy prime minister David Lammy, former business secretary Peter Kyle and former chief secretary Darren Jones, as he completed the first major reshuffle of his new government.

With PTI Inputs

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