Former UK Defence Secretary​ John Healey - who has been announced as Andy Burnham's Chancellor of the Exchequer - is seen as the ultimate safe pair of hands.

Axar.az reports, citing BBC, that this reputation made the 66-year-old's resignation as Sir Keir Starmer's defence secretary just over a month ago all the more surprising.

Healey's assessment of the government's much-delayed defence investment plan - that it fell "well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time" - was devastating and undoubtedly hastened Sir Keir's departure from Downing Street.

Now he's in charge of the funding not just of defence - but of every arm of government.

He replaces Rachel Reeves, who had served as Sir Keir's chancellor since Labour's 2024 landslide election win.

Loyal, and not someone who briefs against colleagues to journalists or indulges in political games, he has been around the top of the Labour party for three decades.