25 January 2008 – James Purnell appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell, today announced his Ministerial Team.
Stephen Timms will join the Department as Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform. Mike O’Brien remains Minister for Pensions Reform.
Anne McGuire and James Plaskitt remain as Parliamentary Under Secretaries (Commons). Lord McKenzie of Luton remains Parliamentary Under Secretary (Lords).
James Purnell said:
“I am delighted to be returning to the Department for Work and Pensions, to deepen the reform of the welfare and pension systems and continue to tackle child poverty. My aspirations are to ensure everyone has the chance to be self-reliant in old age, and to make work the right - and the responsibility - of everyone who is capable of it”.
Notes to editors
- Before coming to the DWP James Purnell was Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport from June 2007. Prior to that he was Minister for Pensions Reform at this department
- Stephen Timms was Minister of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform from May 2006 until yesterday. He was previously Pensions Minister, from May 2005 until May 2006.
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