Liz Kendall marks return to shadow cabinet by accusing ministers of lacking ‘proper’ mental health plan

Liz Kendall marked her return to the shadow cabinet today as the new shadow secretary of state for work and pensions by accusing the government of lacking a “proper” mental health plan.

Kendall replaced Jonathan Ashworth as Labour’s work and pensions spokesperson during today’s shadow cabinet reshuffle.

She had previously served as a shadow health minister.

Ashworth has become the shadow paymaster general.

Kendall said today: “Labour has a plan to transform mental health in this country, paid for by closing private equity loopholes. When will this government act and put a proper plan in place?”.

Secretary of state for work and pensions Mel Stride responded: “I would invite the Right Honourable Lady to spend some time looking more closely at the announcements that were made, particularly at the time of the last fiscal statement”.

Liz Kendall ran for the Labour leadership into 2015 as the candidate of the party’s right. She came fourth in election, behind Yvette Cooper, Andy Burnham and winner Jeremy Corbyn

Kendall resigned from the shadow cabinet following the election of Corbyn.

She had been serving as shadow minister of social care since 2010, and given the ability to attend cabinet in 2011.