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As it happenedended

Cabinet reshuffle - as it happened: Theresa May hails new generation of 'gifted' ministers as she finishes day two of shakeup

Follow all the latest updates from Westminster here

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
Tuesday 09 January 2018 04:25 EST
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Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle: Key positions

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Theresa May finished her new year’s reshuffle with a raft of new appointments for young Conservative MPs, claiming it “allows a new generation of gifted ministers to set up and make life better for people”.

She said the Government was about "building a country fit for the future – one that truly works for everyone with a stronger economy and a fairer society.

“This reshuffle helps us do just that by bringing fresh talent into Government, boosting delivery in key policy areas like housing, health and social care, and ensuring the Government looks more like the country it serves.

But the reshuffle of top posts – or lack of reshuffle – on Monday will likely overshadow the Prime Minister’s attempt to reboot her Government.

Yesterday several ministers refused to be moved on from their jobs – in a challenge to the PM’s authority – and Justine Greening walked out of Government and resigned from her post as Education Secretary after turning down a new role at the Department for Work and Pensions.

And on Tuesday, Toby Young quit his post with the higher education watchdog with an apology for his homophobic and misogynistic comments – just two days after the Prime Minister backed him to stay. The controversial right-wing journalist stepped down amid a hail of criticism over his offensive comments about women’s breasts, gay people, the disabled and starving children in Africa.

See below for live updates

Sam Gyimah MP has been appointed as Minister of State at the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Minister for Higher Education) - Downing Street

Ashley Cowburn9 January 2018 13:00

Stephen Barclay MP has been appointed as a health and social care minister, No 10 has said.

The MP for North East Cambridgeshire, who was first elected in 2010, backed the campaign to leave the EU.

A former director of Barclay's Bank, Mr Barclay previously served as a City minister.

The father-of-two is considered a loyal MP and has a reputation for not voting against his party.

Harriet Agerholm9 January 2018 13:26

Rory Stewart OBE MP has been given the job of Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, Downing Street has said.

A former black watch officer, in 2014 Mr Stewart was appointed to lead a Government review on why a number of British veterans committed crimes after returning home. He later stepped down when he was appointed to chair a defence committee.

Mr Stewart was previously at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and some commentators have said moving the veteran to the Ministry of Justice was a waste of his diplomatic experience.

Harriet Agerholm9 January 2018 13:43

Margot James MP has been appointed Minister of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

She replaces Matt Hancock — who was promoted to become Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport yesterday. 

Harriet Agerholm9 January 2018 13:47
Ashley Cowburn9 January 2018 13:57

Harriett Baldwin MP has been appointed as a Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.

Ashley Cowburn9 January 2018 14:00
Ashley Cowburn9 January 2018 14:17
Ashley Cowburn9 January 2018 14:28

Lucy Frazer has been appointed MP as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice - Downing Street

Ashley Cowburn9 January 2018 14:49

Rishi Sunak has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Ashley Cowburn9 January 2018 14:50

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