Emma Reynolds
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Wycombe MP Emma Reynolds to serve as the new Defra Secretary.
Following a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday (September 5), Mr Reed has been promoted to Housing Secretary, a position previously held by former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Ms Reynolds was formerly Economic Secretary to the Treasury in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' department.
Speaking after her appointment, Ms Reynolds said she hopes to continue Mr Reeds' 'excellent work' in supporting farmers.
"Delighted to be appointed to the Cabinet as Defra Secretary and [I] look forward to building on the excellent work of Steve Reed - cleaning up our rivers, backing British farming and ensuring nature's recovery," she added.
"Happen to be going to a pig farm tomorrow [Saturday] with my youngest son!
"The first of many visits in my new role."
NFU president Tom Bradshaw has congratulated Ms Reynolds MP on her appointment as Defra Secretary.
Mr Bradshaw said: "I look forward to working closely with her in the months ahead and hope she uses the role to champion farming, ensure its high production standards are valued and invest in its future with policies that back British farming and deliver for food security."
Watch NFU President Tom Bradshaw's (@ProagriLtd) video following the appointment of Emma Reynolds MP (@EmmaforWycombe) as new Defra Secretary. pic.twitter.com/HrEDtjQtOl
— National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets) September 5, 2025
CLA president Victoria Vyvyan said: "We offer our warmest congratulations to Emma, who we have known for some time as a champion of the rural cause.
"She will know already of the immense potential of the rural economy to generate growth and create jobs. We will do everything in our power to support her in unlocking that potential.
"This reshuffle offers a profound opportunity to draw a line under a very difficult year for industry-government relations. But to move on, first government must recognise that their current position on inheritance tax is completely untenable and will do nothing but harm to the rural, and national, economy."
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, external affairs director at the Countryside Alliance, said Ms Reynolds has a unique opportunity to help Government 'reset' its relationship with the countryside.
However, Sheryll Murray, a former MP for South East Cornwall, said she was disappointed by Ms Reynolds' appointment.
"Another MP promoted to Defra Secretary with little or no experience of the Farming and Fishing Industries," Ms Murray added.
"Labour do not care about farming and fishing."
Nick von Westenholz, chief executive at The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, said Ms Reynolds will be the tenth Defra Secretary within the space of a decade, something which he added was ‘not at all idea' give the uncertainty on agricultural and environmental policy
Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins said Ms Reynolds' top job must be to persuade Chancellor Rachel Reeves to 'axe' Inheritance Tax changes before April 2026.
More of the story to follow.
