Rishi Sunak becomes chancellor as Sajid Javid departs

News13 Feb 2020Sarah Williams

Rishi Sunak, a former minister for local government, has been announced as chancellor of the exchequer after a shock departure from previous incumbent Sajid Javid.

Sajid Javid, former chancellor of the exchequer

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Rishi Sunak becomes chancellor as Sajid Javid departs #ukhousing #socialhousingfinance

The announcement comes as part of a major reshuffle of the cabinet by prime minister Boris Johnson today, which has already seen housing minister Esther McVey “relieved of [her] duties”.

It has been widely reported that Mr Javid chose to resign after being asked by the prime minister to stay on condition he fire his team of aides.

Mr Sunak was previously Mr Javid’s deputy, as chief secretary to the Treasury.

Mr Sunak is replaced as chief secretary to the Treasury by Stephen Barclay, formerly the secretary of state for exiting the European Union from 16 November 2018 to 31 January 2020. Prior to that, he was minister of state for the Department of Health and Social Care from January to November 2018, and economic secretary to the Treasury from June 2017 to January 2018.

The change of leadership at the exchequer comes less than a month before the chancellor is due to deliver the Budget on 11 March. Mr Javid had previously said that the Budget would bring a “new chapter for the economy”, and would “level up and spread opportunity” around the UK.

Elsewhere, Downing Street has confirmed that Robert Jenrick will remain secretary of state for housing, communities and local government. A replacement for Ms McVey has not yet been announced.