Shriti Vadera will take over as minister responsible for construction in the Cabinet reshuffle forced by the resignation of Peter Hain as work and pensions secretary.

Baroness Vadera, whose new title is business and competitiveness minister, will cover construction as part of her portfolio.

Vadera replaces Stephen Timms, who 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.

Vadera becomes the seventh construction minister in seven years since Nick Raynsford left the post in 2001.

Last month, Raynsford criticised the latest ministerial reshuffle as a ‘damaging merry-go-round of ministers’ in a letter to prime minister Gordon Brown on Vadera’s appointment.

In the reshuffle, Caroline Flint replaces Yvette Cooper as minister for housing.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor