DOWNING Street said the new UK Cabinet is the “most diverse in history” after Boris Johnson’s reshuffle - despite only a quarter of roles being given to women.
The Prime Minister spent Wednesday afternoon firing and moving ministers into different cabinet positions, including appointing Liz Truss as Foreign Secretary, only the second woman to hold the role.
However, when it came to the final breakdown of the 30 senior government positions that were up for grabs, only eight of those were given to women (26.6%).
This includes Truss’s promotion to Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel remaining as Home Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan taking over from Truss as Trade Secretary, and Nadine Dorries being appointed Culture Secretary.
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The other 22 roles (27.7%) were given to men, and there were seven (23.3%) politicians of colour given senior jobs.
Almost half of Boris Johnson’s new Cabinet attended Oxford or Cambridge universities, while 60% attended a private school.
Challenged on the diversity of Mr Johnson’s top table, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It is factual to say it is one of the most diverse cabinets in history.
“All members of Cabinet will be united in the work around levelling-up and building back better from this pandemic.
“You mention the Education Secretary (Nadhim Zahawi).
Nadhim Zahawi was appointed Education Secretary
“He went initially to the comprehensive Holland Park School and has talked very personally about his own background and how he has been able to rise to this important position from a family of immigrants, coming in at a young age.”
It comes as further details of Dominic Raab’s new added role of Deputy Prime Minister, after his demotion from Foreign Secretary to Justice Secretary, were revealed.
No 10 said that the shift was a “planned move” but when pressed on whether Raab had specifically requested the title change during the reshuffle, the PM’s official spokesman said: “Look, I’m not going to get into individual conversations that take place.
“I think it is right they remain private.”
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He added: “I’m happy to confirm this was a planned move.”
The spokesman confirmed that the first secretary of state position has now been abolished.
Downing Street said the appointment to Deputy PM was about “formalising” the role and said he would stand in for Johnson at PMQs.
The spokesman added: “It demonstrates his seniority within Government and the trust the Prime Minister places with him.”
Asked what the difference was between being first secretary and deputy prime minister, the spokesman added: “You can expect him to be involved in cross-governmental work when that is necessitated.
Dominic Raab was demoted to Justice Secretary with the added Deputy PM title
“I’m not going to be prescriptive while we are still in the midst of this process.
“It is clear he will play an important senior role in Government.”
Further appointments for junior ministerial roles were announced on Wednesday.
Michael Ellis has replaced Penny Mordaunt as Paymaster General at the Cabinet Office, Downing Street has said.
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Mordaunt will instead be minister of state at the Department of International Trade.
John Whittingdale is no longer media minister. The MP tweeted: “I am sorry to be stepping down as Minister for Media and Data and saying goodbye to a great team of ministers and officials.
“It has been a privilege to play a part in shaping the future of UK public service broadcasting and in reforming our data laws using our new Brexit freedom.”
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