The Labour party’s cabinet reshuffle has resulted in Liz Kendall, former Department for Work and Pensions secretary, replace Peter Kyle as Science, Technology, and Innovation secretary.

Kendall has served as an MP for the Labour Party since 2010, and formerly served as the shadow junior minister for health under Ed Miliband.

Kyle has been appointed business minister as a result of the shuffle on Keir Starmer’s premiership.

Kendall took her previous position at the work and pensions department after the 2024 general election, where she was faced with reshaping the welfare system.

The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) shared Kendall addressing her new staff on X, saying: “I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be here and to have been given the opportunity and honour to work with all of you.

“I know from my good friend Peter Kyle, your former secretary of state, the incredible potential here, your huge determination to change people’s lives for the better and I really believe this department can help build the future for people in every part of the country, no matter their background, and who could possibly want a better job than that?”

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Like her predecessor Kyle, Kendall’s previous experience aligns more with politics than technology. She will be tasked with the UK’s continuous digital transformation, as well as championing and managing its AI ambitions.

DSIT has faced other changes, however, as AI and digital government under secretary Feryal Clark has left the government. Data protection and Telecoms minister Chris Bryant has also moved to the Department for Business and Trade.

Each of these posts remain to be filled. Further, the positions of undersecretary for the future digital economy and for online safety have yet to be filled.

The major transitions come shortly after the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, resigned.