PM enlists Whitehall fixer and top economist to bolster No 10 team

Keir Starmer is turning to the veteran Whitehall fixer Louise Casey to help drive through reform of the public services as he seeks to beef up his Downing Street operation.

- Rachel Sylvester

The crossbench peer, who has worked for five previous prime ministers, will take an increasingly active “enforcer” role as part of a wide-ranging reset of No 10.

Baroness Casey, who was appointed as the government’s lead non-executive director last year, is frequently seen in Downing Street, with direct access to the prime minister.

Starmer has been impressed by her no-nonsense approach and wants her support in delivering policies across Whitehall between now and the next general election. “[Casey] doesn’t take no for an answer,” one source said.