British Prime Minister Bernham appointed former Defense Minister John Hilly as Chancellor.

The newly appointed Prime Minister of the UK, Andy Burnham, unexpectedly appointed former Defense Minister John Hilly as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the government of Keir Starmer. Hilly served as a junior official in the Treasury from 2002 to 2007, but was not considered a popular choice for the important position of Chancellor; instead, Home Secretary Shebana Mahmoud and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband were seen as more hopeful candidates. The appointment of Hilly may reflect Burnham's approach to personnel. People close to Burnham say that he wants the new Chancellor to execute his agenda, rather than act independently. Hilly had previously resigned as Defense Minister in the Starmer government in protest of the government's failure to provide enough funding for military spending plans, a decision that dealt a heavy blow to Starmer's hopes for reelection.