Michael Fallon MP has today been promoted by the Prime Minister to be minister of state for energy at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Mr Fallon will retain his current position as minister of state for business and enterprise along with his new appointment.
Explaining the unusual joint position Mr Fallon said: “Both departments share a strong focus on business and the economy and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to build on their cross cutting work on this agenda.”
“Energy policy has a key role to play in securing sustainable future growth in the economy, strengthening supply chains, keeping people’s bills down and tackling climate change”.
Whilst working within the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, Mr Fallon, generally perceived to be on the right wing of the Tory party economically, struck up a strong working relationship with the Liberal Democrat business secretary Vince Cable.
No doubt the government wants him to carry over this ability to work with the Conservatives’ coalition partners when at the DECC, another ministry controlled by the Liberal Democrats.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey said: “I am delighted to welcome Michael Fallon to DECC. He brings with him a wealth of business experience and will make an excellent addition to the team.”
“He will help to cement the links I’ve been making across Government as energy is such a critical industry for the UK’s growth prospects, and the creation of green jobs.
Mr Fallon replaces John Hayes MP who will become Minister of State without portfolio – widely speculated to be tasked with helping improve no.10’s relations with the Tory backbenches.
Today the minister will be visiting GE Oil and Gas’ Wellstream site which specialises in manufacturing high-quality flexible pipeline products used in the subsea oil and gas production sector. The visit is part of his promotion of the government’s new oil and gas strategy announced earlier today.
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