Liz Kendall has been named the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of a cabinet reshuffle spurred by the resignation of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.
Kendall replaces Peter Kyle, who has served as Tech Secretary since the Labour came to power in July 2024. Kyle has been appointed as Business Secretary.
The daughter of a former senior figure at the Bank of England, Kendall worked at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) before working directly for Labour politician Harriet Harman.
The Member of Parliament for Leicester West, Kendall is among the more seasoned MPs in Labour’s current crop, having first been elected back in 2010.
The 54-year-old held some senior positions in Labour during the opposition years, notably as shadow junior health minister under the leadership of Ed Miliband – whom she attempted to succeed as leader in the 2015 leadership contest.
In the Starmer premiership, she has served as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions since the 2024 general election, where she was tasked with reshaping the welfare system and was key to the controversial tightened eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIPs).
Like her predecessor Kyle, Kendall’s background is more rooted in politics than technology, with limited experience directly in the industry.
Upon joining the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Kendall addressed her new team, 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?”
