The mini cupboard reshuffle noticed the implementation of 4 new authorities departments, together with one devoted to know-how and innovation.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made Southeast Cambridgeshire MP Lucy Frazer secretary of state for Tradition, Media and Sport in a departmental reshuffle, which additionally sees “Digital” dropped from the portfolio.
After a five-month stint within the function, former tradition secretary Michelle Donelan will now head up the newly shaped Division for Science, Innovation and Know-how.
Who’s Lucy Frazer?
Frazer, the Yorkshire-born MP, obtained a personal secondary college training and went on to check at Cambridge College. Earlier than being elected to parliament, she practiced as a barrister and was appointed a Queen’s Counsel (senior trial lawyer) in 2013.
She was elected in 2015 as MP for Southeast Cambridgeshire and has since assumed many roles inside authorities, from minister for Transport, Prisons and Probation to the Monetary Secretary to the Treasury. Her most up-to-date function was minister for Housing and Planning, which she held from October 2022, earlier than being appointed as tradition secretary.
Frazer’s new function as tradition secretary is one thing of a promotion as a result of, though she has been a minister earlier than, that is her first place as a secretary of state.
Though she has little background in design, on 31 January 2023 Frazer spoke at a RIBA occasion – Magnificence: Who cares, wins! – about how authorities and trade can collaborate to fold design into the planning course of, leading to extra sustainable communities.
Delighted to talk at @RIBA at this time about how Authorities and trade can work collectively to embed design within the planning course of and construct extra lovely and sustainable communities. https://t.co/xDDeP43X5r
— Lucy Frazer (@lucyfrazermp) January 31, 2023
Throughout the 2016 referendum, Frazer supported the UK remaining within the EU. She is healthier identified for placing ahead a Personal member’s invoice to Parliament to make upskirting an offence in England and Wales. The invoice attained Royal Assent on 12 February 2019 and was handed.
In November 2021, when Frazer was Treasury minister, she was accused of battle of curiosity after a £15bn authorities contract was drawn up with a agency headed by her husband.
What are the brand new departments?
The Division for Tradition Media and Sport has been renamed and re-focussed, slicing “Digital” from its remit. Based on the Prime Minister’s workplace, the significance of those remaining industries to the UK financial system will probably be higher recognised and search to construct on the nation’s international place as leaders within the artistic arts.
Rather than the Division for Enterprise, Power and Industrial Technique – which has now been dissolved – three model new departments have emerged, additionally in search of to embody the “digital” sector which was dropped from the tradition secretary’s remit.
Former tradition secretary Michelle Donelan will lead the brand new Division for Science Innovation and Know-how. Donelan is because of take maternity go away this 12 months and it has not but been revealed who will take her place throughout that point. The PM’s workplace says: “Having a single division focussed on turning scientific and technical improvements into sensible, appliable options to the challenges we face will assist make sure that the UK is probably the most progressive financial system on the planet.”
Grant Shapps – beforehand the enterprise secretary – will assume the function of Secretary of State for Power Safety and Internet Zero, one other new division. This division has been tasked with bringing down payments and halving inflation as the federal government seeks to recognise and take motion regarding the results of the warfare in Ukraine and power insecurity.
Former commerce secretary Kemi Badenoch will head up the brand new Division for Enterprise and Commerce with the intention of “backing British companies at dwelling and overseas”, says the PM’s workplace.
It provides that the modifications and refocussing of abilities are outcomes of the Prime Minister’s 5 guarantees: “to halve inflation, develop the financial system, cut back debt, minimize ready lists and cease the boats”.
Banner picture credit score: Alexey Fedorenko on Shutterstock
