Downing Street Key figures in PM's autumn reset

Keir Starmer has poached Rachel Reeves's effective deputy for the new post of chief secretary to the prime minister.

- Jessica Elgot

Darren Jones Chief secretary to the prime minister

A reliable communicator and a willing attack dog, Jones is expected to do lots of media for the prime minister on the government's message and delivery, and to take on the threat from Reform UK.

Seen as hardline on the economy, Jones was Reeves's firewall in tense negotiations with cabinet ministers over the spending review.

But he is also a loud progressive, who has called for Labour to be the party of "love, compassion and community" to face off against Nigel Farage's politics of "anger, division and blame".

Tim Allan Executive director of communications

The most controversial appointment of the shake-up, Allan is a veteran spinner from the Tony Blair government and the founder of the PR mega-agency Portland.

An extremely experienced communications specialist, his appointment is part of what one senior staffer told colleagues was more "grownups" returning to government - though that description has raised defensive hackles internally.

Some special advisers are very concerned about Portland's previous links to lobbying for the governments of Kazakhstan, Russia and Qatar - including for the controversial 2022 World Cup and believe it will be a major issue for the government. Allan left the firm in 2019 and Portland stopped lobbying on behalf of Russia in 2014.

Most of Allan's past colleagues describe him as charming and collegiate - though he will be well on the right of the party. Steve Richards, a former Labour adviser, recalled Allan's No 10 leaving do 20 years ago, at which Blair teased him that he was "even more rightwing than me".

Minouche Shafik Chief economic adviser