Roads minister Jesse Norman has been promoted to minister of state at the Department for Transport (DfT), replacing Jo Johnson, who resigned last week over Brexit.
Andrew Jones MP
Mr Norman will be replaced as parliamentary under secretary of state at the DfT by Andrew Jones, who previously filled the same role between May 2015 and June 2017, serving as exchequer secretary to the Treasury in the meantime.
Mr Norman will retain the roads portfolio, while Mr Jones will take over responsibility for rail, a brief previously covered by Mr Johnson.
Mr Norman wrote on Twitter: ‘Very honoured and delighted to have appointed Minister of State at @transportgovuk. My portfolio remains as is, with additions.’
In response to a question from a Twitter user, he added that local roads and walking and cycling were ‘still all in my portfolio, for good or ill’.
Mr Norman, who was elected as MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire in May 2010, had been the DfT’s parliamentary under secretary of state for transport since last year’s General Election.
He had previously worked as a director at Barclays and on a 'charitable project in Communist Eastern Europe'. He has also researched and taught philosophy at University College London and written a book about Adam Smith.
Tobyn Hughes, chair of the Urban Transport Group, welcomed Mr Jones' appointment. He said: 'This comes at a crucial time for the rail industry, as the Government conducts its "root and branch" review into the country's railways.'
He added: 'Our network of cities had an excellent working relationship with Andrew Jones when he was previously a transport Minister and he understands the rail issues that city regions face.
'We look forward to working with him once again and continuing to make the case for greater devolution of our rail networks so that they bring widespread benefits to the passengers and communities which they serve.'
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