Cabinet reshuffle - as it happened: Theresa May hails new generation of 'gifted' ministers as she finishes day two of shakeup
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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Kit Malthouse becomes a junior minister at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Robert Jenrick has been appointed as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.
Nadhim Zahawi becomes a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education.
The first batch of 2015 intake MPs are now being appointed to Government - bar Home Office minister Victoria Atkins, who was given a ministerial post in the mini reshuffle after Priti Patel resigned.
Ms Patel was forced to quit as International Development Secretary in November when it emerged she had held secret meetings with senior Israeli figures without informing Downing Street.
New 2015 MPs entering Government in today's reshuffle include:
Richmond (Yorks) MP Rishi Sunak, a Brexit-backing former businessman has been appointed to the new Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Lucy Frazer, South East Cambridgeshire MP, a former QC who is heading to the Ministry of Justice.
Oliver Dowden, MP for Hertsmere, who worked as an adviser to David Cameron, goes to the Cabinet Office.
Kit Malthouse, a former London Assembly member, becomes a minister at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Newark MP Robert Jenrick - who was elected in a by-election in 2014 - goes to the Treasury.
Another 2015 MP appointed - Suella Fernandes becomes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union.
A prominent Brexiteer, the Fareham MP leads the European Research Group - an influential faction of Eurosceptic MPs.
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