Reshuffle: Changes to the Health 12th May 2015 and Business Teams

Other Appointments

Ros Altman – Minister of State (Minister for Pensions) Department of Health New Post

Mark Francois – Minister of State at Though , Jane Ellison, and George Freeman remain, the big news in the Department of Health is undoubtedly the loss Earl Howe. Much respected, and Department for Communities and Local perceived as honorable, straightforward, ‘the nicest man in politics’ even, Earl Howe has been reshuffled into the Ministry of Defence in a move that is being lamented Government across the board. What is perhaps most interesting to note about David Prior’s appointment is what this may mean for the troubled CQC, some are already New Post

speculating that there will be sweeping reforms of the organisation. – Minister for the Armed Forces and Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence New Post

John Hayes – Minister of State (Minister for New Appointments Security) New Post

David Prior – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department of Health) Philip Dunne – Minister of State (Minister for Defence Procurement) New Post New Post David Prior has become Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, replacing Earl Howe who has moved to the Ministry of Defence Ed Timpson – Minister of State at Department The current Chair of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), David’s career underwent a swift turn around when the Queen signaled her of Education New Post intention to raise him to the peerage, and the Prime Minister appointed him to the Department of Health on the same day. Nick Boles – Minister of State (Department of David has a background in law and investment banking, and was previously a Conservative MP. Coincidentally, former health Minister Education and Business Innovation & Skill) Reappointment with additional responsibility Norman Lamb ousted him from his seat in 2001. He has also previously been the Chief Executive of the Conservative Party, and Chair of for trade union and employment law the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Trust. In 2013 he was made Chairman of the oft-criticised CQC. Some now believe that his transferring out of the organisation signals further impending reform. – Minister of State (Department of Energy & Climate Change) New Post Sometimes outspoken in his role at the CQC, much has been made of his comment last year that failing trusts should be sold off to the private sector. Interestingly in March of this year he suggested the exact opposite, arguing that the market should play a limited rule in the NHS as users often have ‘no Anne Milton – Deputy Chief Whip (Treausrer of HM Household) power’. Perhaps this U-turn came in advance of his new position to smooth potential criticisms? New Post

Though undoubtedly able, some are already questioning Prior’s ability to fill the shoes of Earl Howe, a man who was seen as largely helping to navigate – Minister of State (Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs) ’s controversial reforms through the . New Post

Harriett Baldwin – Economic Secretary to the Ben Gummer – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department of Health) Treasury (City Minister) New Post

New Post Ben Gummer – MP for Ipswich - has been promoted, replacing Dr Daniel Poulter who has resigned his Government post. – Minister of State (Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Department for Business Innovation & Skills) A new entry to the Parliament in 2010, Ben was previously the Parliamentary Private Secretary to in the Department of Education. Considered by his colleagues to be a ‘liberal conservative’, Ben made a name for himself more as a ‘campaigning backbencher’ on tax Therese Coffey – Deputy Leader of the House transparency than as a party loyalist. He has made it clear before that he views his greatest loyalty as to his constituents rather than his of Commons New Post government, though this will have to change with a ministerial post. QC – Attorney General In his local constituency of Ipswich Ben has been relatively active on healthcare issues. He has notably spoken about the importance of Reappointment

tailoring GP services to meet the needs of the local community, an attitude that will dovetail well with the aims of the Five Year Forward – Minister of State at View. It is unclear as of yet whether Ben will hold the training, education and regulation brief of Daniel Poulter. Department for International Development New Post with responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse Rt Hon – Minister of State (Department of Health) Marcus Jones - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Local Government at the New Post Alistair Burt – MP for North East Bedfordshire - has been promoted, replacing former Liberal Democrat Minister Norman Lamb. Department for Communities and Local Government) New Post Alistair Burt has been an MP ever since 1983, with the brief exception of the 1997 Parliament when he failed to gain a seat. He returns to Government having lost his last post – as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - in the 2013 Justin Tomlinson - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Disabled reshuffle. He has also previously been an Opposition Whip, and the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. People)

Before his appointment to this role he has been an active campaigner on healthcare issues, most notably on the contaminated blood Rory Stewart – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Environment Food & scandal but he has also worked with charities relating to multiple sclerosis, brain injury and sight problems. A slightly more pro-European Rural Affairs) appointment than other ministers, Alistair has previously commended Angel Merkel’s stand on the importance of free movement, and has New Post highlighted the particular importance of foreign workers in staffing of the NHS. James Wharton - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Communities and Local Government) New Post with responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse Department of Business, Innovation and Skills Marcus Jones - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Local Government at the With the loss of three Liberal Democrat MPs, led by , the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills has seen one of the more major shake-ups Department for Communities and Local following the election. It is worth noting that two of the new high profile appointments, and are close supporters of potential future leadership Government) contender . New Post

Ben Wallace - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Northern Ireland Office New Post Relevant New Appointments Andrew Jones - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State () Rt Hon Sajid Javid – Secretary of State (Business, Innovation and Skills) New Post

Caroline Dinenage - Parliamentary Under New Post Sajid Javid – MP for Bromsgrove - has moved from his post as the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, replacing former the Liberal Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) and Democrat Secretary of State Vince Cable. Minister for Equalities (Department for Education) New Post Sajid was a prolific appointment to the Cabinet last year, first elected in 2010 he was quickly tipped as a ‘Tory rising star’ and was swiftly promoted from the backbenches to a ministerial post in the Treasury, and then to Secretary of State for Cutlutre. Mark Lancaster - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Ministry of Defence (Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare & With a background in the banking sector, he is perceived by commentators as having a strong understanding of finance and as being a Veterans) sensible selection. An acknowledged Thatcherite he is also a firm favourite of George Osborne, who was at least partially responsible for New Post his swift elevation through the ranks. John Penrose – Parliamentary Secretary at the New Post Jo Johnson – Minister of State for Universities and Science Damian Hinds – Exchequer Secretary to the New Post Jo Johnson – MP for Orpington - has replaced as the Minister for Universities and Science Treasury New Post

Before moving to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills in the reshuffle, Jo headed up the influential Number 10 Policy Unit. Tracey Crouch - Parliamentary Under Perceived as incredibly bright and less ostentatious than his older brother Boris, Jo’s appointment has been welcomed by many in the Secretary of State (Minister for Sport at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) industry. His responsibilities will include oversight of research funding, public engagement in science and STEM skills. New Post

Jo is also markedly more pro-European than many of the other appointments and he has previously highlighted the importance of - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) international students, suggesting that they should be left out of net-migration figures. Unlike his predecessors in this post he will not New Post attend Cabinet meetings, however he has a reportedly close relationship with George Osborne and his previous role on the Policy Unit will undoubtedly ensure he has a voice at the top table. Rt Hon Earl Howe - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Defence)

With a background as a banker and a financial journalist, he is well placed to take on this role despite his father declaring that he ‘doesn’t know anything about science’ upon finding out about the appointment.

→ A briefing note from Decideum EU on the European position → Profiles of newly the reformed Health Select Committee → An analysis of the emerging health positions from our Manifesto coverage