Baroness Vadera replaces Timms at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Stephen Timms has left his post as construction minister after six months to join the Department for Work and Pensions as minister of state for employment and welfare reform.

Stephen Timms

He is replaced at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) by Baroness Vadera although a spokesman said it was too early to say whether she would take responsibility for construction.

The move is part of the wider cabinet reshuffle prompted by Peter Hain’s resignation as secretary of state for work and pensions.

Timms was the sixth construction minister since Nick Raynsford left the job in 2001.