Two Downing Street policy advisers have left this week amid growing frustration with the slow pace of government delivery, reports have suggested. Tom Webb, the prime minister’s health adviser relinquished his role at No10 alongside Nick Williams, the adviser on planning and infrastructure policy credited with recent announcements on airport expansion and housebuilding.

The pair were among Sir Keir Starmer’s longest-serving aides in opposition. Government sources told The Times that the prime minister wanted to “speed up” and “shake up” his policy unit.

It comes soon after Sir Keir’s head of communications quit his Number 10 job after just nine months.

Matthew Doyle stood down as the Prime Minister’s director of communications. He is a Labour veteran who worked closely with former UK leader Tony Blair.

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Liz Lloyd, a former deputy chief of staff to Sir Tony Blair, was given the job of leading No 10’s policy work in January.

Reports have suggested that she is behind the decision to let go of former civil servants Mr Webb and Williams.

No 10 sources said that both advisers departed on good terms.

Sources familiar with Sir Keir’s strategy said that he took an unsentimental approach to recommendations for personnel changes that would “speed up” the government’s work and was personally driving change in No 10 “from the very top”.

Downing Street insiders played down the prospect of the posts being filled by outside hires.