In a recent development, two Members of Parliament have joined the Department for Transport (DfT) in key roles. Guy Opperman MP and Anthony Browne MP have been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State within the Department for Transport. Despite these appointments, the specific responsibilities of these positions and whether they directly replace the roles held by former DfT Ministers, Jesse Norman and Richard Holden, remain unclear. A comprehensive summary will be provided as soon as No.10 clarifies this information.
Furthermore, noteworthy changes have occurred in ministerial positions this morning. George Freeman’s departure has led to the appointment of Andrew Griffith as the new Minister for Science, Research, and Innovation, as announced by No.10. Griffith, a City Minister since October, was previously the head of the No.10 Policy Unit after the departure of Munira Mirza. Known as an ally of Prime Minister Johnson, Griffith’s new role marks a significant shift in responsibilities.
Additionally, following the dismissal of Paul Scully, Saqib Bhatti has been appointed as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology. Elected in 2019, Bhatti has held the position of Tory Party Vice-Chair for Business since September 2022. Presumably, he will be assuming the role of Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, previously held by Scully.
These recent changes in ministerial positions underscore a dynamic period in the UK government, with new faces taking on crucial roles and responsibilities. Stay tuned for further updates as No.10 provides additional information on the distribution of duties within the Department for Transport and other key government departments.
