Cabinet reshuffle: who’s in and who’s out of Boris Johnson’s top team - Mark Spencer replaces Jacob Rees Mogg

Tory ministers have been handed new roles in government in a mini cabinet reshuffle.

Boris Johnson has made moves in his team, with former Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg and former chief whip Mark Spencer given new cabinet positions.

It comes as the Prime Minister remains under pressure from the fallout of ‘partygate’ and calls for him to apologise for remarks made about Sir Keir Starmer’s connection to the Jimmy Savile prosecution case.

Several appointment to his Downing Street staff have been made this week already, with Guto Harri among those announced in his new staff.

Who has a new role in Boris Johnson’s cabinet?

It wasn't a huge reshuffle, but the Prime Minister did move around some key players in his team.

James Cleverly will become the Minister of State for Europe, moving from his previous role as Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa and North America.

Former chief whips have been moved into cabinet positions, with Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood, and Stuart Andrew taking up new titles.

Mr Andrew will become Minister for Housing in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, having previously served as deputy chief whip.

Controversially, Mr Spencer will take over as Leader of the House of Commons after fulfilling the role of Chief Whip since July 2019.

There is a Cabinet Office investigation currently ongoing concerning Mr Spencer and alleged Islamophobic comments made to former junior minister Nusrat Ghani.

The Cabinet Office has said: “It’s right that we need to allow that investigation to conclude without… pre-empting it or drawing conclusions whilst that work is ongoing.”

Mr Spencer maintains the allegation are “completely false”.

Chris Heaton Harris will become the new Chief Whip.

While not cabinet members, Michael Ellis and Heather Wheeler will become parliamentary secretaries.

Mr Ellis will add parliamentary secretary to his list, while remaining as Paymaster General.

Ms Wheeler, MP for South Derbyshire, has also been appointed as a parliamentary secretary in addition to her role as assistant government whip.

What is Jacob Rees-Mogg’s new role in cabinet?

Mr Spencer takes over from prominent Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg as leader of the Commons.

Mr Rees-Mogg has arguably been given a demotion from his role, being moved to a Minister of State role.

The MP for North East Somerset will take up the mantle of Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

Mr Rees-Mogg will be present at cabinet meetings in his new role.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “As the PM said last week, it is important that we both make immediate changes to improve both how the No 10 operation works and the work of the Cabinet Office, and further changes to strengthen Cabinet government and improve that vital connection between No 10 and Parliament.

“The changes being made today will strengthen that connection. We have changes to the whips’ office, improving engagement with MPs and helping to drive the Government’s ambitious agenda.

“We have a new Brexit opportunities minister, a role that’s been created to drive forward the changes we are able to make now that we have left the EU, delivering on our post-Brexit agenda across Whitehall.”

What does Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency do?

The role for Mr Rees-Mogg is a new cabinet job.

The role is adapted from the Minister of State for Efficiency and Transformation which had been created in February 2020, with Lord Agnew of Oulton being the first MP to hold the job.

This itself replaced the more traditional role of Minister of State for the Treasury.

Mr Rees-Mogg makes the move after it was reported that the Prime Minister was keen for him to be placed in a “proper economic role” in cabinet.

The previous responsibilities included supporting the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and supporting government functional activity and procurement relating to the Covid pandemic.

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