MP Andrea Leadsom announced that she is “delighted” to join the Department of Health and Social care (DH) as “as a junior minister”, in a tweet published last night (November 14).

She said that she is “looking forward to getting stuck in” to the role, which she said would include “supporting our fabulous GPs, dentists and community pharmacists”.

Read more: UPDATED: Neil O’Brien quits as pharmacy minister to ‘focus 100%’ on constituency

Ms Leadsom, who spent three years as the government's early years adviser, added that she would now “have ministerial responsibility for the 'Best Start for Life' as well as the hugely important public health portfolio”.

She was appointed parliamentary under secretary of state in the DH on Monday (November 13).

A spokesperson for the DH told C+D today (November 15) that ministerial portfolios will be confirmed in due course.

Rishi's reshuffle

It follows a tumultuous few days in politics that saw a reshuffle across Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's cabinet.

Pharmacy minister Neil O’Brien – who was appointed as minister responsible for primary care in November last year – announced on twitter earlier this week that he was resigning from the post to “focus 100%” on his constituency and to “see more” of his two children.

Read more: UPDATED: Victoria Atkins appointed health secretary as Steve Barclay ousted

And Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins was appointed the new health secretary on Monday after her predecessor Steve Barclay was moved to a new role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Ms Leadsom, who has been Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire since 2010, was previously the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy between July 2019 and February 2020.

Read more: ‘Musical chairs gone wrong’: We need a pharmacy minister to stay the course

Between June 2017 and May 2019, she also held the role of lord president of the council and leader of the House of Commons.

Outside of her career in politics, Ms Leadsom worked in the banking and finance industry for 25 years – including as head of corporate governance at one of the UK's largest retail fund managers.