Britain’s Rishi Sunak reshuffles cabinet to revive economy, party

The prime minister split two departments and created four new portfolios, including one for science and innovation

He also appointed a new party chair, but experts argue the changes won’t make ‘a blind bit of difference to their fortunes at the next election’

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Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:20pm, 7 Feb 2023Updated: 8:22pm, 7 Feb 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reshuffled his cabinet on Tuesday, breaking up two departments to better suit his pledge to spur the economy and turn around his party’s fortunes before an election expected next year.

Sunak split the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to create four new portfolios, including one for science and innovation, a personal passion.

The former finance minister and multimillionaire, who once worked for a hedge fund, is trying to steer the economy through a prolonged period of double-digit inflation and stagnation, a situation worsened by the soaring cost of energy.

He is also under pressure to try to prove his belief that Britain can reap the benefits of its departure from the European Union by developing new trade ties with international partners.

His Downing Street office said he had appointed current business minister, Grant Shapps, as minister for the new energy security and net zero department.