Chloe Smith named as Work and Pensions Secretary

Chloe Smith has been named as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in Prime Minister, Liz Truss’s, cabinet.

The MP for Norwich North was previously Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, and takes over from Thérèse Coffey, who has become Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.

Truss, who was sworn into her new role as Prime Minister earlier today, has been announcing her cabinet appointments, which also include Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor.

Prior to her role as Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, a job she held for just under a year, Smith was Minister for the Constitution and Devolution between February 2020 and September 2021, and Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office from January 2018 to February 2020.

Smith was first elected as MP for Norwich North in July 2009, prior to which she worked for Deloitte, advising private businesses, government departments and public bodies.

Coffey had been Work and Pensions Secretary for almost three years, following her appointment by ex-Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on 6 September 2019.

Other cabinet appointments include James Cleverly as Foreign Secretary and Suella Braverman as Home Secretary, while Ben Wallace remains as Defence Secretary.

Members of the pensions industry have outlined a 'wish list' for the new government, including measures to tackle NHS pension tax issues and pension transfer rules.

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