New business secretary appointed in government reshuffle

It has been announced in today’s cabinet reshuffle that there is a new UK business secretary.

Number 10 have confirmed that international development secretary Alok Sharma will replace Andrea Leadsom as secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

Housing minister Esther McVey and environment secretary Theresa Villiers have also been replaced.

Alok, who has been MP for Reading West since 2010, was housing minister between 2017 and 2018, and employment minister from 2018 to 2019.

Andrea Leadsom, who served as business secretary for six years, commented: “It has been a real privilege to serve in government for the last six years, and in [the business, energy and industrial strategy team] for six months.

“I now look forward to focusing on my constituents and on my 20+ year campaign to see every baby get the best start in life.

“I’m particularly proud of my work in [the team] on net zero and the #CountDowntoCOP and on making the U.K. the best place in the world to work and to grow a business.

“I will continue from the back benches to work to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”