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Gordon Brown's first Cabinet

  • Published: Thursday, 28 June 2007

Gordon Brown announced his first Cabinet today, along with changes to the structure of government, including new departmental names and responsibilities.

The new Cabinet

There are three new senior Cabinet Ministers. David Miliband, who was in charge of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is the new Foreign Secretary, and Jacqui Smith is the first woman to become Home Secretary, following John Reid's retirement. Alistair Darling replaces Gordon Brown as Chancellor.

Twenty of the twenty-three full Cabinet posts have changed hands. Alan Johnson is the new Secretary of State for Health, replacing Patricia Hewitt.

Ed Balls is the the first Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. Other changes to government departments include a Secretary of State responsible for Innovation, Universities and Skills - the post will be held by John Denham. John Hutton is Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which takes on much of the work of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Other ministers who will have a seat at Cabinet include Tessa Jowell, as the Minister for the Olympics and London, and Beverley Hughes, the Minister for Children and Youth Justice. Ed Balls' wife, Yvette Cooper, will attend Cabinet as Minister for Housing. In total, nine women will attend Cabinet; previously there were eight (although fewer are full Cabinet members). Sir Mark Malloch Brown, UN Deputy Secretary-General during part of 2006, attends Cabinet as the Minister for Africa, Asia and UN.

Departmental changes: education, trade and industry

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) will be responsible for education, children and youth issues – in short, everything affecting people up to the age of 19. This includes children’s services, families, schools, 14-19 and the Respect Taskforce, which transfers from the Home Office.

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will be responsible for adult learning, further and higher education, skills, science and innovation. This work was previously looked after by both the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will be responsible for promoting productivity, enterprise, competition and trade.

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