Cabinet reshuffle latest LIVE: Greg Hands becomes Tory party ...
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ishi Sunak has appointed Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands as the new Tory Party chairman and Grant Shapps as a new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, during a mini-reshuffle of his Cabinet on Tuesday.
The appoinment of Mr Hands, which was initially confirmed on social media by Tory Mp Michael Fabricant, comes after Nadhim Zahawi was sacked as chairman, over his tax affairs, more than a week ago.
Mr Shapps’ appointment as energy security secretary comes as Mr Sunak breaks up the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) into three ministries. In doing so, Mr Sunak also appointed Michelle Donelan as the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Kemi Badenoch as Business Secretary and Lucy Frazer as Culture Secretary.
The Prime Minister said the shake-up will “focus teams on the issues that will build a better future for our children and grandchildren”.
Dominic Raab, who is facing an investigation into claims of bullying, has survived the reshuffle.
Lee Anderson has been appointed deputy Conservative chairman.
The outspoken Tory MP, who represents the so-called “red wall” seat of Ashfield, was appointed amid a wider reshuffle and restructuring of Government departments carried out by Rishi Sunak.
The New York-born politician has held several ministerial positions since becoming an MP in 2005.
Find out all about the new Tory Party chairman here.
PARishi Sunak says that the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will help to cut bills and emissions.
The Prime Minister said the department will cut the UK’s dependence on Russia’s energy supply and focus on giving the UK “cheaper, cleaner, more secure sources of energy”.
In 2021 imports from Russia made up 4% of gas used in the UK, 9% of oil and 27% of coal, worth a combined £4.5 billion according to House of Commons Library figures.
Full details of the responsibilities of the new departments will be set out later on Tuesday, No 10 said.
Explaining the reason for the new energy department, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “For too long there hasn’t been enough forward planning on this, whether that’s on building new nuclear or other issues.
“Having a new department solely focused on this, led by Grant Shapps, is a way of addressing these long-standing challenges.”
The spokesman said the Whitehall shake-up would mean “greater focus, dedicated leadership and better-targeted resources to deliver on our promises” of halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting hospital waiting lists and stopping small boats carrying migrants across the English Channel.
Downing Street downplayed questions about how expensive the reshuffle and reorganisation of Whitehall departments might be.
The Liberal Democrats claimed on Tuesday that the reforms could cost £60 million.
Asked about costs, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said details would be set out in the normal way.
“It’s worth stressing obviously the teams are already in place.
“This is about bringing together teams under the priorities of the Prime Minister. So we wouldn’t expect there to be significant additional costs to this.”
The spokesman said he did not recognise the figure suggested by the Lib Dems.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said his shake-up of Whitehall, including the creation of four new departments, will “focus teams on the issues that will build a better future for our children and grandchildren”.
“The Government needs to reflect the priorities of the British people and be designed to deliver for them,” he tweeted.
“These changes will focus teams on the issues that will build a better future for our children & grandchildren.”
Rishi Sunak wanted Michael Gove to be the new science, innovation and technology secretary, but he asked to stay as the levelling up secretary, according to The Times.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Christine Jardine said that Rishi Sunak was “looking weaker by the day, and this rudderless reshuffle is the latest proof”.
“This reshuffle will cost the public millions while failing to change the trajectory of this Government in crisis.
“Rather than fritter away tens of millions of taxpayers’ cash on costly vanity projects, Sunak should spend the money where it’s most needed.
“This cash could fund 25 million free school meals.”
Rishi Sunak has carried out a sweeping shake-up of Whitehall with the creation of four new Government departments aimed at boosting economic growth and addressing the energy crisis.
The Prime Minister replaced sacked Tory party chairman Nadhim Zahawi with Greg Hands, who had been trade minister.
But the main element of the reshuffle saw the business, trade and culture departments restructured into four different ministries.
Grant Shapps, who had been business secretary, will now be the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary.
Kemi Badenoch, who was international trade secretary, will now lead the joint Department for Business and Trade.
Lucy Frazer joins the Cabinet as Culture Secretary in a department which has been shorn of its responsibility for digital technology, but will instead focus on the creative arts and sport.
Michelle Donelan moves from culture to the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Several MPs are congratulating Greg Hands on becoming the new Tory Party chairman as the Fullham and Chelsea MP says he’s “excited” about the role.
“The work starts right away,” Mr Hands tweeted.
