Angela Rayner handed new role as Keir Starmer continues Labour reshuffle

Angela Rayner has been appointed shadow levelling up secretary, as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer reshuffles his shadow cabinet.

She replaces Lisa Nandy, who is demoted to become the party's new shadow minister for international development.

Ms Rayner will remain the party's deputy leader and will also take on the new role of shadow deputy prime minister.

Sir Keir is reshaping his top team as MPs return from their summer recess.

Labour is leading the Tories in national opinion polls, as the parties enter the party conference season, with a general election expected next year.

Ms Rayner already stands in for Sir Keir at Prime Minister's Questions when either Sir Keir or Mr Sunak is away, a role in which he usually spars with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.

But her new role now means she will also shadow Michael Gove, who is tasked with "levelling up" - a Tory campaign phrase that describes policies aiming to reduce regional inequality.

His department is also responsible for local government and housing, expected to be an important focus for both parties at the election.

A Labour source said she would continue as the party's "strategic lead" on its package of employment rights reforms, for which she was previously responsible as shadow secretary of state for the future of work.

In other moves, Labour's national campaign co-ordinator Shabana Mahmood replaces Steve Reed as shadow justice secretary.

He will become shadow environment secretary, replacing Oldham West & Royton MP Jim McMahon.

Pat McFadden, the party's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, will become national campaign co-ordinator and will shadow the Cabinet Office.