Kemi Badenoch is preparing a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet after MPs return from the summer recess, as the Conservatives seek to refresh their frontbench team ahead of the party conference.
The changes are expected to take place after Parliament returns next week and before the Conservative conference in October.
The reshuffle has not yet happened, and the party has not formally announced the full list of appointments or departures.
Changes expected after summer recess
The Telegraph reported that Badenoch is planning changes to her top team following the parliamentary summer break.
The move comes as the Conservatives attempt to sharpen their opposition to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Government and strengthen the visibility of their frontbench operation.
Claire Coutinho and Helen Grant expected to leave roles
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho is expected to leave her frontbench role ahead of maternity leave.
Shadow solicitor general Helen Grant is also expected to leave her post after announcing that she intends to stand down at the next general election.
Those expected departures create vacancies that Badenoch will need to fill as part of the wider reshuffle.
Newer Conservative MPs could be promoted
Several members of the Conservative Party's 2024 intake have been named in media speculation as possible candidates for promotion, including Katie Lam, Harriet Cross and Aphra Brandreth.
No promotion for any of those MPs has been formally confirmed.
Stride and Patel expected to remain
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride and Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel have both been the subject of speculation around the reshuffle.
Current reporting indicates that both are expected to remain in their posts.
UK Parliament's official opposition listings continue to show Stride as Shadow Chancellor and Badenoch's existing shadow cabinet in place, underlining that no reshuffle has yet taken effect.
Badenoch seeks stronger challenge to Burnham
The timing of the reshuffle comes as Badenoch attempts to reposition the Conservatives following their 2024 general election defeat and subsequent local-election losses.
She has repeatedly argued that the party must change significantly if it is to rebuild public trust and develop a credible government-in-waiting.
The arrival of Burnham in Downing Street has also changed the political landscape facing the opposition, with Badenoch seeking to establish clearer dividing lines with the new Prime Minister.
Full appointments not yet confirmed
For now, the confirmed position is that Badenoch is preparing changes to her shadow cabinet rather than that any complete new team has already been appointed.
Expected departures and reported candidates for promotion remain subject to the final decisions announced by the Conservative leader.