Starmer appoints Antonia Romeo as Britain’s first female cabinet secretary – UK politics live

The appointment follows allegations she was previously spoken to about her management style

This is what the Cabinet Office says about Antonia Romeo in its news release about her appointment.

Dame Antonia Romeo is currently the longest-serving permanent secretary in government and will become the first female cabinet secretary in the more than 100-year history of the role …

Antonia is the longest serving permanent secretary in government, with nearly a decade of leading economic, public services and security departments. As permanent secretary of the Department of International Trade, Antonia set up the new department from scratch as the UK left the EU, bringing together trade policy with promotion and finance for the first time.

As permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice she led the official response to the civil unrest of summer 2024, working across the criminal justice system to keep the country safe, and launched the Sentencing Review.

At the Home Office she has launched a plan to restore order and control to the asylum system and the biggest reform of policing in decades, and led the publication of the strategy to build a safer society for women and girls in support of the home secretary.

It is a huge privilege to be asked to serve as cabinet secretary and head of the civil service.

The civil service is a great and remarkable institution, which I love. We should be known for delivery, efficiency and innovation, working to implement the government’s agenda and meet the challenges the country faces.

I look forward to working with all colleagues across the civil service to do this, in support of the prime minister and the government.