Three major positions in the Cabinet have been filled, following the departure of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid.
With Sunak and Javid leaving their positions as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care respectively yesterday evening, there have been three appointments to the vacant positions.
Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon since 2010, has been appointed to the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer, meaning he will take over the responsibility as the government’s chief financial minister. Having previously held the role of Secretary of State for Education, Zahawi will be looking to combat the rising costs-of-living, assist with the Covid-19 recovery, as well as keeping track of inflation and ensuring that the annual budget is followed.
Former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Steve Barclay, has been appointed as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following the departure of Sajid Javid. Formerly serving as a Government Whip and as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Barclay will be looking to ensure that the NHS and care services are assisted in their mission to beat Covid backlogs, as well as bringing in more staff to improve the level of care across the country.
In a statement following his appointment, Barclay said:
“It is an honour to take up the position of Health and Social Care Secretary. Our NHS and social care staff have showed us time and again – throughout the pandemic and beyond – what it means to work with compassion and dedication to transform lives.
This government is investing more than ever before in our NHS and care services to beat the Covid backlogs, recruit 50,000 more nurses, reform social care and ensure patients across the country can access the care they need.”
Following the appointment of Nadhim Zahawi as Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Michelle Donelan has been announced as Secretary of State for Education. She was previously the Minister of State for Higher and Further Education, and her recent announcements include the intentions to improve the quality of student mental health services, the capping of student loan interest rates and plans to help improve the standard of technical education around the country.
With Prime Minister’s Questions later today, there are likely to be more updates and statements to follow.
