Andy Burnham is reportedly considering postponing the announcement of his full cabinet, including the appointment of his chancellor, until the day he is expected to assume office as prime minister on July 20. This “one and done” approach to naming key government figures marks a departure from the customary staggered reveal of ministerial roles.

The delay has raised concerns within Whitehall, where officials fear it is impeding access negotiations between Burnham’s incoming administration and the civil service, which began last week. Some commentators have criticized the outgoing leadership for not adequately preparing for the transition of power. Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer, recently suggested that the previous prime minister did not do enough to ready his government for a potential handover.

Burnham, who has been leading transition talks alongside his chief of staff James Purnell—a former cabinet minister under Tony Blair—and Louise Haigh, a former transport secretary and leader of the Labour soft-left Tribune group, is reportedly focused on first outlining his government’s strategic priorities. Only after setting this broad vision does he intend to select the ministers best positioned to deliver it. This approach has created a temporary political vacuum, with potential cabinet candidates actively lobbying for positions.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is currently the front-runner for the chancellorship, but his candidacy has become a point of internal contention. Some senior allies of Burnham voice reservations about Miliband’s perceived ideological stance on the government’s net zero targets, while supporters argue that his experience uniquely qualifies him to transform the Treasury.

Part of Burnham’s hesitation also stems from a cautious effort to avoid alienating colleagues before the leadership process formally concludes. Beyond personnel decisions, the cabinet formation is complicated by potential reorganizations within Whitehall that Burnham is reportedly contemplating. Louise Haigh has advocated for transferring the Treasury’s growth mandate to a newly established Ministry for Economic Growth, a move that would reshape ministerial responsibilities.

In addition, Burnham intends to elevate his “No 10 North” operation—a Downing Street satellite office based in Manchester—with oversight over devolved powers, public utility management, reindustrialization, regeneration, and council housebuilding. This ambitious vision for devolution calls for a clear delineation of ministerial duties prior to appointment.

Lord Sedwill, a former cabinet secretary, emphasized the necessity of settling these structural and departmental arrangements before ministers are named. He noted that ministers cannot be appointed to roles that have yet to be created or confirmed. Sedwill warned that ambiguity around departmental geography risks undermining Burnham’s agenda and turning devolution into a symbolic gesture disconnected from Whitehall’s power centers.

“Devolution is not like most policy choices, where a government can correct course after a slow start; departmental geography sets incentives that shape delivery for years,” Sedwill wrote. He cautioned that any missteps in defining the government’s structure could jeopardize long-term policy implementation and urged decisive action during the transition period.

As Burnham prepares to take office, the key question remains how swiftly and decisively his administration will formalize the framework needed to support his vision, balancing structural reforms with the political imperative of securing a stable and effective cabinet.