Burnham new Culture Secretary

The outgoing Culture Secretary James Purnell has been replaced by Andy Burnham, former Chief Secretary to The Treasury.

Purnell was confirmed last night as the new Secretary for Work and Pensions, replacing Peter Hain who resigned over the donations affair for his campaigning for deputy prime minister.

Burnham joined The Treasury from the Department of Health last June, where he was Minister of State for Delivery and Reform until 2006. He has also worked as a researcher for Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and special advisor to Chris Smith at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 1998.

He was educated in Merseyside and has an MA in English from Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

According to the DCMS, he is an avid supporter of Leigh Centurions Rugby League Club and Everton Football Club. He is also a past administrator of the Football Task Force.

Margaret Hodge remains Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Sport, and will now report to Burnham.