PM overhauls government with ‘Titanic’ roles shake-up
RISHI Sunak has embarked on a major overhaul of his flagging government, breaking up the department for Business, Energy, Innovation and Science and reshuffling his cabinet.
BEIS will now be split into the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for
Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Business and Trade.
Meanwhile, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will be “refocussed” as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
With polls showing the Tories almost certainly heading for defeat at the next General Election, the SNP said the changes were like “measuring up the Titanic for new curtains as it sinks”.
The Lib Dems estimated that the reform would cost the taxpayer around £60 million.
Grant Shapps is to head up the new Energy Security and Net Zero office, while equalities minister Kemi Badenoch, who led the charge against the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill, is to become Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
According to the Times, Michael Gove was Mr Sunak’s first choice to be the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
However, he turned it down, asking to remain as the cabinet minister for Levelling Up.
Instead, the job will go to Michelle Donelan.
Levelling up and housing minister Lucy Frazer will replace Ms Donelan as Culture Secretary.
Whoever replaces Ms Frazer as housing minister will be the sixth person to hold the post in the past year.
Greg Hands, the veteran trade minister, is to replace the sacked Nadhim Zahawi as Tory party chairman and Minister Without Portfolio.
His deputy will be the controversial “red wall” MP Lee Anderson.
He rose to prominence after he vowed to boycott England matches in protest at the players taking the knee in support of Black Lives Matter. He also claimed food bank users “cannot budget.”
Mr Anderson’s appointment is even more surprising given that he recently criticised the Government’s approach to unlawful immigration.
In messages reportedly leaked from a Whatsapp group, he is said to have stated that ministers were acting “like the band on the Titanic”.
The 1912 maritime disaster was the theme of the day for the opposition.
Labour’s shadow secretary for climate change and net zero, Ed Miliband, said “a rearranging of deckchairs on the sinking Titanic of failed Conservative energy policy will not rescue the country”.
Meanwhile, SNP Cabinet Office spokesperson Kirsty Blackman said: “This latest reshuffle is like Rishi Sunak measuring up the Titanic for new curtains as it sinks.”
Explaining the changes, a Downing Street spokesperson said they would “ensure the right skills and teams are focused on the prime minister’s five promises: to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats”.
The reshuffle comes as Mr Sunak prepares for his first big electoral test at May’s local elections. Polls suggest he is on course for a drubbing.
A survey by Redfield and Wilton Strategies, published yesterday, put Labour on 50 per cent, 26 points clear of the Tories.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine pointed to Institute for Government analysis which estimated the cost of setting up a new government department at £15m.
She said: “Rishi Sunak is 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.”
No 10 said they did not recognise the figure.
There was no change to Dominic Raab’s position. The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary is under increasing pressure over multiple bullying complaints.
He is currently being investigated by lawyer Adam Tolley KC. Mr Raab has denied any wrongdoing.
The Prime Minister said he would take “swift and decisive action” if “presented with conclusive independent findings that someone in my Government has not acted with the integrity”.
Rishi Sunak is looking weaker by the day, and this rudderless reshuffle is the latest proof