Northumberland MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan has returned to Government in a new role as a business minister.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Mrs Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth. She will take responsibility for the Government's planned "green industrial revolution" - a plan to create and sustain 250,000 jobs in industries such as offshore wind farms, electric vehicles and public transport.
This is set to move to the top of the Government's agenda this year if the Covid health crisis is bought under control as hoped, and attention focuses on rebuilding the economy.
She said: "I'm thrilled and very excited to be taking on one of the most important portfolios at this point. A green recovery is critical post-Covid. The global challenge of tackling the climate crisis, and the leadership we give, are all part of this portfolio, so I'm thrilled and honoured the Prime Minister is trusting me with it."
The announcement came as former Business Secretary Alok Sharma took on a new role as full-time President of the UN COP26 climate conference, taking place in Glasgow this November. Former Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng was promoted to Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Mrs Trevelyan was previously a Cabinet Minister, as Secretary of State for International Development, but lost this role when the International Development department was merged into the Foreign Office.
She will also continue in her role as UK’s International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency, supporting countries vulnerable to climate change to adapt to its impacts and build resilience.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference - known as COP26 - is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference. It is scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from 1 to 12 November 2021 under the presidency of the United Kingdom.
