The government has confirmed that Claire Coutinho MP has been appointed as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
She takes over from Grant Shapps, who moves to Secretary of State for Defence.
Coutinho is the East Surrey MP and was elected in December 2019. Her previous role was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education.
She tweeted to say:
I am delighted to have been appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. I will work with the Prime Minister to safeguard our energy security, reduce bills for families, and build cleaner, cheaper, homegrown energy.
Shadow Climate and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband posted:
I congratulate Claire Coutinho on her appointment as Energy Secretary. But it speaks volumes about the failures of Tory policy that we are now onto the 6th Secretary of State since 2019. Reshuffling of the deckchairs will not deliver the proper energy policy Britain needs.
