Cameron's reshuffle
David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle has certainly impacted on the field of children’s mental health.
Tim Loughton, who was shadow children’s minister for seven years and junior children’s minister for two years, has been asked to step down from the role although the prime minister has made no announcement about Tim’s successor.
Tim said on Twitter: “Overwhelmed by 100's tweets & emails expressing sadness no longer Children’s Minister-some from very unexpected quarters! Will retweet some.”
He later added: “Far too many kind tweets to respond to individually but a big collective thank you from me - dry run for what to look forward to when I die!”
Tim retweeted a number of tributes. Chief executive of Action for Children Clare Tickell said: “Sorry to hear this Tim, you have been a great minister and champion for the children who need champions.
Adoption tsar Martin Narey said: “Very sad that the excellent, hard-working, dedicated Tim Loughton has lost his post. These things happen but he’ll be a hard act to follow.”
Sarah Teather, who has been minister for children and families for the last two years, has also lost her position and has been replaced by fellow Liberal Democrat MP David Laws.
Also in the Department for Education, Michael Gove will keep his role as education secretary.
In the Department of Health, Andrew Lansley has been moved from his position as health secretary to leader of the House of Commons. Lansley spearheaded the NHS reforms set out in the Health and Social Care Bill for England which gives GPs control of much of the NHS budget and opens up the health service to greater competition from the private and voluntary sector from April 2013. Andrew Lansley is replaced by Jeremy Hunt.
Paul Burstow will be replaced as care services minister by Norman Lamb. Secretary of state in the Ministry of Justice Ken Clarke has been replaced by Chris Grayling.
