07 February 2023 , 07:32
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Rishi Sunak is carrying out a mini reshuffle today to replace sacked Tory chairman Nadhim Zahawi.
The Prime Minister was left without a party chief when he fired Mr Zahawi for breaching ministerial rules amid a major row over his tax affairs.
He is expected to announce a successor this morning - with further appointments to come as he battles to get a grip after weeks of bad headlines.
A government source told the Times said that the reshuffle would be “relatively limited”, with a “domino” effect of movement triggered by the appointment of the new Tory chairman.
Trade Minister Greg Hands is one of the names in the frame to succeed Mr Zahawi after the post has sat empty for more than a week.
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Other reports suggested there could be a shake-up at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which could be carved up into different ministries.
PCS, the civil servants union, accused Mr Sunak of "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic" with the shake-up and said he should get on with resolving the dispute over pay in Whitehall.
Nadhim Zahawi was sacked as Tory chairman at the end of January (PA)Mr Sunak vowed to create a standalone energy department during last summer's Tory leadership contest.
Business could be merged with Trade, raising questions about the futures of both Business Secretary Grant Shapps and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, who made it to the last four of the summer leadership race.
Mr Sunak could create a Science and Digital unit, carving out digital from the Culture, Media and Sport department, according to The Sun.
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan is expecting a baby and has said she will take a short maternity leave, making her the second top minister to do so after Suella Braverman.
Rishi Sunak is struggling to assert his grip over his party (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said it was "sad" that her old department could be broken up,
In a swipe at the PM, she said: "This along with maths to 18- it’s like [Dominic] Cummings never left!"
Under-fire Deputy PM Dominic Raab is likely to stay in post while an independent probe into a string of bullying allegations against him is completed.
Downing Street has resisted calls to sack Mr Raabe and repeatedly said that top KC Adam Tolley must be allowed to complete his investigation.
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Eight formal complaints - said to involve at least 24 officials - are being probed from Mr Raab's stints at the Ministry of Justice, the Foreign Office and the now defunct Brexit department.
A weekly meeting of the Cabinet in Downing Street has been pushed back from 9.30am, suggesting appointments are expected to begin imminently.
It comes after weeks of bad headlines for the Prime Minister over his scandal-hit ministers as he struggles to turn around his party's dire poll ratings.
His pledge to govern with "integrity, professionalism and accountability" when he entered No10 more than a 100 days ago was called into question by the row over Mr Zahawi's tax affairs and the bullying claims dogging Mr Raab.
The Tory chairman post will be key in the run up to the local elections in May, which will provide Mr Sunak with his first major electoral test since taking office.