Chris Skidmore to return to government in his previous role
Universities and science minister Chris Skidmore is to remain minister for universities, science, research and innovation following the general election.
Skidmore will keep the brief he has held since September and will be unaffected by any ministerial reshuffle by the new government. His role spans the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, both of which have confirmed to Research professional News that Skidmore is to remain in post.
Skidmore first became universities and science minister in December 2018, taking over following the resignation of Sam Gyimah. He briefly became health minister in July when Jo Johnson—who had also been universities and science minister between 2015 and 2018—reclaimed the job to join his brother’s cabinet. However, when Jo Johnson quit in September over Brexit, Skidmore took the job again.
Gavin Williamson, who was education secretary before the 12 December general election, will also return to government to lead the department for education.
A post-Brexit cabinet reshuffle is expected to take place in February, which could see more wide-ranging changes to ministers’ briefs.