Victoria Atkins has been promoted to secretary of state for health and social care, replacing Steve Barclay in the role, as part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle.
Barclay, who held the position for the second time for just over a year, has been moved to the role of environment secretary. Atkins was financial secretary to the Treasury for a little over a year before today's (13 November) surprise appointment. She is the fifth MP to hold the health brief in as many years. Atkins is not known to have any professional experience in health or social care, but will now have to manage ongoing disputes over NHS pay as well as rising waiting lists. Elected as the Member of Parliament for Louth & Horncastle in May 2015, Atkins is the daughter of Lady...
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