Cabinet reshuffle latest LIVE: Greg Hands becomes Tory party chairman during Rishi Sunak mini-reshuffle

Greg Hands (Getty Images)

Rishi 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.

Dominic Raab, who is facing an investigation into claims of bullying, has survived the reshuffle.

Lib Dems: PM looking ‘weaker by the day’

11:37 , Miriam Burrell

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.”

A recap: Whitehall shake-up

11:30 , Miriam Burrell

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.

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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.

Congratulations roll in for Greg Hands

11:21 , Miriam Burrell

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.

Four new departments created

11:15 , Miriam Burrell

The Government said that the creation of four new departments would “ensure the right skills and teams are focused on the Prime Minister’s five promises”.

A new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will be tasked with securing the UK’s long-term energy supply, as well as “bringing down bills and halving inflation”.

A new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will “drive the innovation that will deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy”.

The Department for Business and Trade will “support growth by backing British businesses at home and abroad, promoting investment and championing free trade”.

A new-look Department for Culture, Media and Sport will “recognise the importance of these industries to our economy and build on the UK’s position as a global leader in the creative arts”.

Shapps ‘delighted’ with new role

11:11 , Miriam Burrell

Grant Shapps has said he is “delighted” to become the first Secretary of State for the new Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.

He said his focus will be on “securing our long-term energy supply”.

Shapps, Badenoch and Hands roles confirmed

11:06 , Miriam Burrell

It has been confirmed that Grant Shapps will become the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Kemi Badenoch will take on the role as Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

Greg Hands is the new Conservative Party chairman.

It is also confirmed that Michelle Donelan will become Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The Cabinet re-shuffle is as follows:

Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP as Secretary of State for Business and Trade. She remains as President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities

Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP as Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport

Rt Hon Greg Hands MP as Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office (Party Chair)

Who is Greg Hands?

11:02 , Miriam Burrell

Greg Hands has been the Tory MP for Chelsea and Fulham since 2010, and previously the MP for Hammersmith and Fulham.

He is married with two children, and spent eight years working on trading floors in London and New York.

He was educated at a number of state schools in the UK and US, before going on to Cambridge University.

Liz Truss made him trade policy minister days before she stepped down and Rishi Sunak has kept him on.

Mr Hands backed Mr Sunak as prime minister.

He has been a government minister since October 2011. He served first as the Treasury Whip between 2011 to 2013.

Tory MP congratulates Greg Hands

10:38 , Miriam Burrell

It looks like Tory MP Michael Fabricant has jumped the gun and is congratulating Greg Hands on becoming Tory Party chairman.

No official announcement has been made, but there are several reports that Mr Hands will replace Nadhim Zahawi.

Grant Shapps tipped for new energy role

10:21 , Miriam Burrell

Grant Shapps is expected to be the new energy secretary and Kemi Badenoch expected to be the new business and trade secretary, according to reports.

Greg Hands is tipped to be the new Tory Party chairman, The Times political editor Steven Swinford said.

Energy department as helpful as ‘deck chairs on Titanic’

10:07 , Miriam Burrell

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has warned that Rishi Sunak’s expected creation of a new energy department may not address the climate crisis.

UK director of policy Dr Doug Parr said: “As climate disasters intensify, energy costs spiral and the world continues to sink under rising seas, without other fundamental reforms, re-establishing a department for energy will be as helpful as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

“It’s government policy and underinvestment that is holding back real action on the climate and energy crises, not the departments or ministers in place.”

Ed Miliband: Tories ‘now admit they got it wrong’

09:59 , Miriam Burrell

Shadow climate secretary Ed Miliband said that it looked like Rishi Sunak was now admitting that the decision to get rid of the Department of Energy in 2016 was a mistake.

The Prime Minister is reportedly creating a ministry focused on energy security.

The Labour MP tweeted: “So seven years after the disastrous decision to abolish the Department of Energy, the Conservatives now admit they got it wrong, but a rearranging of deckchairs on the sinking Titanic of failed Conservative energy policy will not rescue the country.”

Nadine Dorries ‘sad’ department set to be broken up

09:48 , Miriam Burrell

Nadine Dorries said it is “sad” that her former Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is set to be broken up.

The ex-culture secretary, who was replaced by Michelle Donelan when Liz Truss became prime minister, said the department has “tragically lacked profile of late” despite being the most effective in Whitehall.

“Track record in tech, digital, gigabit roll out, telecoms, data speaks for itself,” Ms Dorries said.

Cabinet meeting at 3pm

09:32 , Miriam Burrell

There are several reports that today’s Cabinet meeting will take place at 3pm, instead of the usual 9.30am.

The BBC and Sky News are reporting that one of the new government departments will be known as DSIT – a Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.

Reports of new government department

08:57 , Miriam Burrell

There are reports that the Prime Minister will announce a new government department and change the responsibility of at least three others.

BBC Political Editor Chris Mason said a ministry focused on energy security will be created, and there will also be a Science, Innovation and Technology department.

Cabinet meeting moved to afternoon – reports

08:42 , Miriam Burrell

Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting has been moved to the afternoon, Sky News is reporting, but any reshuffle announcements will take place this morning.

The gathering of Cabinet ministers at No 10, which normally begins at 9.30am every Tuesday, was set to be pushed back slightly to 10.30am this week amid the Prime Minister’s expected shake-up of ministers.

But Sky News understands the meeting has now been moved to after lunch.

However, any announcements of new roles are still set to take place this morning.

Andrew Mitchell ‘not expecting’ to be chairman

08:04 , Miriam Burrell

Development minister Andrew Mitchell, according to a newspaper report one of the names linked to the vacant position of Conservative Party chairman, signalled that he hoped to be staying in his current role.

He told LBC, when asked about The Times report: “I’m certainly not expecting to be called upon to do that.

“But one should always try to do what the Prime Minister wants you to do.”

Minister stays tight-lipped on reshuffle

07:17 , Miriam Burrell

Andrew Griffiths, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, would not comment on reports that Rishi Sunak is poised for a mini-reshuffle.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he was asked if there needs to be a specific department focused on energy.

“If the Prime Minister has got something to say on how to reorganise government then we’ll have to wait and see that.”

Asked if it was a mistake to disband the Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2016, he said he joined Government from a business background.

“Obviously if there are ways of streamlining the way this Government can deliver on the people’s priorities, then that’s important.”

He also defended the position of Dominic Raab as Deputy Prime Minister, saying there is a “process around these allegations” and it “should be followed”.

Andrew Griffith (PA Wire)

PM set to appoint new chairman

07:10 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak is expected to appoint a new Tory Party chair after he sacked Nadhim Zahawi over his tax affairs more than a week ago.

Mr Zahawi was revealed to have paid a penalty as part of an estimated £4.8 million settlement dispute with HMRC.

The Prime Minister had his independent adviser investigate the issue, and it was found Mr Zahawi was “in serious breach of the ministerial code”.

Read more here.

Nadhim Zahawi (PA)

Who could be affected by the reshuffle?

07:05 , Miriam Burrell

Questions are swirling over Grant Shapps and Kemi Badenoch, with Rishi Sunak considering breaking up the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy into separate ministries.

The Sun reported that business and trade could be merged, and a new science and digital department created, leaving culture and sport as a separate unit.

Ministers thought to be under consideration to succeed Nadhim Zahawi include Mr Shapps, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt and trade minister Greg Hands.

Dominic Raab is expected to survive a potential reshuffle, as Mr Sunak has indicated he would wait for the outcome of an inquiry into the Deputy Prime Minister’s conduct before taking any action.

Mr Raab is being investigated over bullying allegations.