Shabana Mahmood has been promoted to home secretary by Sir Keir Starmer in a major ministerial reshuffle following the resignation of Angela Rayner.

Mahmood replaces Yvette Cooper, who is being moved from the Home Office to become foreign secretary, and David Lammy moves from foreign secretary to become justice secretary and deputy prime minister.

Mahmood’s appointment is a signal that the government sees dealing with illegal immigration and asylum as one of its biggest priorities.

With Rachel Reeves remaining as Chancellor, this is the first time the UK has had three women in the so-called “great offices of state” alongside the prime minister.

Rayner resigned on Friday as deputy prime minister and housing secretary after failing to pay enough tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove.

In other moves, Ian Murray lost his job as secretary of state for Scotland, expressing his disappointment; and Lucy Powell, who was leader of the House of Commons, has also left the government.