Aysu Bicer
07 February 2023•Update: 07 February 2023
LONDON
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled a mini-Cabinet reshuffle Tuesday as he seeks to fix the image of the Conservative Party that has been shaken by scandals, including previous chair Nadhim Zahawi's tax avoidance.
Sunak created four new Cabinet departments as the country tries to boost economic growth and cut dependence on international energy supplies.
"The changes will ensure the right skills and teams are focused on the Prime Minister’s five promises: to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats," according to a statement.
The trade and culture departments are being restructured into four ministries that will mainly focus on energy security, science, business, trade culture, and media.
"The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 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, like those of Putin’s Russia," Sunak wrote on Twitter.
"The government needs to reflect the priorities of the British people and be designed to deliver for them," he added.
Sunak appointed a new Tory Party leader, Trade Minister Greg Hands.
Sunak fired Nadhim Zahawi as chairman of the Conservative Party over a week ago following an ethics probe into his tax affairs.
Sunak said an ethics investigation found that “it is clear that there has been a serious breach of the ministerial code.”
The prime minister also appointed Michelle Donelan as the head of state for science, innovation and technology; Kemi Badenoch as business secretary, Lucy Frazer as culture secretary and Grant Shapps, as the head of state for energy security and net zero.
