Hancock promoted in Cabinet reshuffle

The government has promoted Matthew Hancock, Mike Penning and Esther McVey in today’s Cabinet reshuffle, while Labour also announced major changes to the Shadow Cabinet.

Hancock will become the new Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise jointly at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Department for Education. Enterprise is a new addition to his brief.

“A lot done, a lot more to do,” the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary announced on Twitter, adding that he is “delighted” about the promotion.
“I’m glad to be able to continue work on driving up standards in skills and add responsibility for Enterprise,” he said.

Penning will move from the Northern Ireland Office to work as Minister of State for Works and Pensions. His former role will be filled by Andrew Robathan.
“I am absolutely delighted and am looking forward to the new role,” said Penning.

“I’m in for a steep learning curve during the next few weeks, but am really looking forward to it.”

Former Disability Minister Esther McVey will replace Mark Hoban as Minister of State for Employment. Hoban, who came to role in September 2012, will now head for the back benches.

Labour leader Ed Milliband also carried out an overhaul of the Shadow Cabinet today.

Tristram Hunt, a former Shadow Education Minister, will replace Stephen Twigg as Shadow Education Secretary. Former Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Vernon Coaker had been tipped for the role, but was instead promoted to Shadow Defence Secretary. Twigg, meanwhile, will depart from Shadow Cabinet to join the justice team as a Shadow Minister of State, responsible for constitutional affairs.

He wrote on Twitter: “It has been an honour to serve for two years as Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary and I wish Tristam Hunt every success in his new role.”

Liam Byrne has been demoted from the position of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and will become the new Higher Education Secretary. He will be replaced by Rachel Reeves.

Beckie Smith