Matt Hancock resigned from the role earlier today.
Sajid Javid has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Downing Street has just confirmed that Sajid Javid has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following Matt Hancock’s resignation from the role earlier today.
Mr Javid says is he “honoured” by the appointment.
The Bromsgrove MP previously served as home secretary from 2018 to 2019 when he quit over a disagreement with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Between July 2019 and Febuary 2020, Mr Javid also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
A statement from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said; “The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”
Honoured.
In a stament on social media, Mr Javid said; “Honoured to have been asked to serve as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care at this critical time.
“I look forward to contributing to our fight against the pandemic, and serving my country from the Cabinet once again.
Former senior Government adviser Dominic Cummings has warned the apointment is “awful for NHS”.
Responding to the news, Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “Sajid Javid failed to reverse the previous eight years of social care cuts or deliver the investment our NHS needed in his time as chancellor of the Exchequer.
“He now needs to explain how he will bring down sky high waiting lists, ensure people get the cancer care they need, get young people vital mental health support and crucially fix social care, which has suffered swingeing cuts under the Conservatives.”