Chris Wormald appointed UK Cabinet Secretary

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday appointed Chris Wormald as Cabinet Secretary, the most senior government official and policy adviser.

Wormald, who was also named Head of the Civil Service, will replace Simon Case, who in September said he was standing down on due to ill health.

"He brings a wealth of experience to this role at a critical moment in the work of change this new government has begun," Starmer said in a statement.

"To change this country, we must change the way government serves this country ... There could be no-one better placed to drive forward our Plan For Change than Chris."

Wormald, currently the top official in the Department for Health and Social Care, will take up his new position on Dec. 16, the government said.

The role is the most senior in the civil service - the permanent non-political government workforce - and involves working closely with the prime minister to advise on policy and oversee the running of the cabinet.

It comes with a salary of around 200,000 pounds ($254,180).