Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reshuffled his cabinet after sacking Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi, who was forced out for failing to declare an HM Revenue and Customs investigation into his tax affairs. The overhaul, described as 'relatively limited', saw the breakup of three major departments: Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; and International Trade.
Grant Shapps, who has held four cabinet positions in five months, becomes Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, leading the newly created Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. His focus will be on securing long-term energy supply, reducing bills, and helping to halve inflation. The department is a revival of the former Department for Energy and Climate Change, scrapped in 2016.
Michelle Donelan moves to the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as Secretary of State, taking with her responsibility for the Online Safety Bill and the delayed semiconductor strategy. She previously served as Culture Secretary for five months and was known for being the shortest-serving cabinet minister in British history after resigning as Education Secretary after just 36 hours.
Kemi Badenoch becomes Secretary of State for Business and Trade, combining the former Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy department with the Department for International Trade. She will continue negotiating post-Brexit trade deals, with a focus on reviving agreements with the US and India. Lucy Frazer takes over as Culture Secretary, leading a slimmed-down Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
