Cabinet reshuffle sees Grayling and Javid retain positions

Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle yesterday yielded few surprises, but did see Communities Secretary Sajid Javid’s title tweaked to include reference to housing. Reporting to Javid, the housing minister has been swapped yet again, from Alok Sharma to Dominic Raab.

Sajid Javid’s title has gone from Secretary of State for communities & local government, to Secretary of State for housing, communities & local government. While a seemingly minor change, previously there was no member of the cabinet with specific reference to housing in their job title. Alok Sharma, who was housing minister for just six months, has now been swapped for Dominic Raab. The post of housing minister has seen many incumbents over the years, with Raab now the sixteenth minister to hold the position in 20 years. Raab reports to Javid.

Chris Grayling remains as Secretary of State for transport, and was not made chair of the Conservative Party, despite being named as such in an accidental tweet from the Number 10 twitter account, which was then hastily deleted.

Greg Clark, an MP who has proved popular with many in the private sector, remains as Secretary of State for business, energy and industrial strategy.

MP for Tatton Esther McVey took over the seat from former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in the 2017 election, returning to parliament having lost her Wirral West seat in 2015. The Liverpudlian was made Secretary of State for work and pensions yesterday.