Rees-Mogg acknowledges backbench inflation concerns over Sunak

LIVE – Rees-Mogg made ‘Brexit opportunities’ minister in surprise reshuffle

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been made minister for ‘Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency’ in the first confirmed move in today’s reshuffle.

Rees-Mogg has been serving as Leader of the Commons since January 2019.

His new role will see him work from the Cabinet Office, as current chief whip Mark Spencer is set to replace him as Leader of Commons.

Spencer is currently under investigation for comments made to ex-minister Nus Ghani and William Wragg has referred his whips office to the police.

The ministerial rejig follows weeks of dissatisfaction over the ‘Partygate’ scandal, and last week’s shake up of No 10 that saw Stephen Barclay’s appointment as the prime minister’s chief of staff.

Stuart Andrew will be departing his role as deputy chief whip is to become a housing minister at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, ending his tenure as deputy chief whip.

Chris Heaton-Harris will be made parliamentary secretary to the Treasury (chief whip) after serving as Minister of State for Europe at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) since December 2021 when responsibility for Europe transferred from the Cabinet Office to the FCDO.

Michael Ellis has received the add-on of minister for the Cabinet Office on top of his role as Paymaster General.

Assistant government whip Heather Wheeler has been made parliamentary assistant secretary in the Cabinet Office on top of her current role.

Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America James Cleverly will become Minister for Europe at the FCDO.