I’m honoured that Keir Starmer has asked me to serve in his Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

I know this comes at a time when our country faces an unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Families and businesses in our community and right across the country are in real hardship as a result of this crisis.

Labour has remained focused on the impact of coronavirus on working families, the most vulnerable in our society and our brave key workers combatting COVID-19 on the frontline. We will continue to work with the Government in the best interests of our country, and operate as an effective and constructive opposition.

All politicians have a responsibility to come together at this critical time, to make sure our economic response helps those who need it most – this is what I’ll be focusing on in the weeks and months ahead.