Grant Shapps becomes defence secretary and Claire Coutinho named energy secretary – cabinet reshuffle live

The Independent says Claire Coutinho has been confirmed as the new energy secretary as Rishi Sunak carries out a mini-reshuffle of his cabinet.

Ms Coutinho, the former education minister, replaces Grant Shapps, who took over from Ben Wallace after he resigned as defence secretary.

A close ally of Mr Sunak who previously worked as his special adviser, Ms Coutinho becomes the first MP from the 2019 intake to get a job in the cabinet.

Mr Wallace, in a letter to the PM earlier, said it had been an “honour” to serve alongside Ministry of Defence colleagues and thanked Mr Sunak for his “leadership”. He also urged Mr Sunak not to “hollow” out the defence budget.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cabinet-reshuffle-live-sunak-wallace-b2402401.html