British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has carried out a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle and created a new department for energy security and net zero, saying it can help cut household bills and reduce inflation.
“The government needs to reflect the priorities of the British people and be designed to deliver for them,” Sunak wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. “These changes will focus teams on the issues that will build a better future for our children & grandchildren.”
The government said the changes will “ensure the right skills and teams are focussed on the prime minister’s five promises”—to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists in the National Health Service (NHS), and stop illegal immigrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
The new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will be tasked with securing the UK’s long-term energy supply, as well as “bringing down bills and halving inflation.”
The Whitehall shake-up also resulted in the creation of three other new departments. The new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will “drive the innovation that will deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs, and grow the economy,” the government said.
Energy Challenges
Sunak wrote on Twitter that the new energy department will “focus on giving the UK cheaper, cleaner, more secure sources of energy—cutting bills, cutting emissions, and cutting our dependence on international energy supplies” including those from Russia.
Later, during a joint trip with newly-appointed Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps to the District Energy Centre in King’s Cross, central London, he told reporters: “I think we’ve seen over the last year in particular the impact that happens to people’s bills at home when energy policy doesn’t work properly, when we’re reliant on imported energy from hostile countries.
“That’s why the creation today of a new department focused specifically on energy security and net zero is so important.
“It’s going to mean that we can reduce people’s energy bills—that’s so important—it means we can produce more energy here at home, giving us more independence and security, and it means we can transition to cleaner forms of energy as we hit our net zero ambitions and create jobs in the process, as we’re seeing here today.”
The main opposition Labour Party suggested that the Conservative government is admitting that its decision to get rid of the Department of Energy in 2016 was a mistake.
‘Rudderless’
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Christine Jardine said that Sunak was “looking weaker by the day, and this rudderless reshuffle is the latest proof.”She said: “This reshuffle will cost the public millions while failing to change the trajectory of this government in crisis. Rather than fritter away tens of millions of taxpayers’ cash on costly vanity projects, Sunak should spend the money where it’s most needed. This cash could fund 25 million free school meals.”
But a Downing Street spokesman said he did not recognise the figure suggested by the Lib Dems.
Tory Chairman Replaced
Sunak also replaced former Tory Party Chairman Nadhim Zahawi with Greg Hands, who was trade minister.But Sunak continues to face questions about the future of Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, who remained in place after the reshuffle.
Raab, who is also the justice secretary, is being investigated by senior lawyer Adam Tolley, KC, over bullying allegations, with dozens of officials thought to be involved in eight formal complaints.
Raab has denied the allegations.
Sunak said, “The independent adviser is conducting his investigation; I can’t prejudge the outcome of that investigation.”
He added, “It’s right that we let the independent process continue.”
