Energy minister standing down from Government role to focus on local issues

Rishi Sunak’s energy minister has announced he is giving up his ministerial role to focus on local issues.

Graham Stuart said he is proud to have served in the Government over the past eight years, and he will “fully support” the Prime Minister from the back benches.

He intends to turn his focus to issues such as making roads safer, broadband delivery and increasing the number of defibrillators in his constituency of Beverley and Holderness.

Mr Stuart became minister of state for climate under Liz Truss’s government.

Upon the appointment of Mr Sunak as Prime Minister he was reappointed to his position but was removed from Cabinet.

Mr Stuart said he also hopes to focus on improving access to dentistry and healthcare, working with farmers on flooding, and championing his Make Our Roads Safer campaign.

He said: “I’m proud to have served in the Government for most of the past eight years, but now it’s time to focus on Beverley and Holderness.

“I’m proud to have achieved much over the past 18 years, from rock armour at Withernsea to saving East Riding Community Hospital, installing life-saving defibrillators in rural communities and slashing fares on the Humber Bridge.

“I’m looking forward to working with communities to make our roads safer, helping the council take full advantage of the opportunities brought by devolution, pressing the case for York to Hull Rail and improving healthcare in Beverley and Holderness.”

In addition to his role as energy and net zero minister, Mr Stuart also served in the Foreign Office, the Department for International Trade and as an assistant whip to the Treasury.

This comes a month after former armed forces minister James Heappey announced he was leaving the Cabinet and standing down at the next general election.