The UK tech minister Peter Kyle has become the new business secretary, as prime minister Keir Starmer reshuffles his cabinet amid the fallout from his deputy Angela Rayner’s resignation on Friday.
Kyle had been secretary of state for science, innovation and technology since Labour came to power in July 2024. Minister for work and pensions Liz Kendall will replace him in the role, BBC News reported.
The reshuffle has seen a number of key ministers removed from posts and shifted to new roles within the government.
Kyle presided over a year of turbulent relations between the government and tech sector, both cutting and announcing billions in funding for AI and tech projects.
He unveiled a raft of new digital tools, including a chatbot built in partnership with OpenAI to assist businesses and the public in March, along with another partnership with Anthropic in February and signalled plans to ramp up procurement deals with startups.
Kyle was also a firm feature of Starmer’s charm offensive towards global tech companies, appearing at a London office opening for AI avatar company Synthesia and private parties for global big tech leaders.
