Last week (Wednesday 24 July) Alok Sharma MP was appointed Secretary of State for International Development and welcomed his new Ministerial team to DFID.
On his arrival, Mr Sharma said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed International Development Secretary. We will work across the whole of government to deliver Brexit and make sure UK aid is tackling global challenges that affect us all, such as climate change, disease and humanitarian disasters.
“Investing 0.7% of GNI on international development shows we are an enterprising, outward-looking and truly global Britain that is fully engaged with the world.
“I am committed to transforming the lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, giving them access to quality education and jobs, while promoting Britain’s economic, security and foreign interests.”
This was covered in the Telegraph, Mail Online and Devex.
The International Development Secretary also tweeted positively saying:
“Hugely honoured to be appointed Secretary of State for @DFID_UK by Prime Minister @BorisJohnson – straight into briefings at the department with the brilliant Permanent Secretary @MatthewRycroft1 who I had the pleasure to work with @foreignoffice.”
Mr Sharma joins DFID from the Department for Work and Pensions where he was Minister of State for Employment.
DFID’s Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft offered his congratulations and tweeted saying:
“Looking forward to supporting you [the International Development Secretary] to ensure UK aid plays a major role in Global Britain.”
Dr Andrew Murrison MP continues his role at DFID as Minister of State for the Middle East. He tweeted saying:
“Absolutely delighted to be back @ForeignOffice and @DFID_UK working with really tremendous people.”
Baroness Sugg remains Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development.
DFID welcomed Andrew Stephenson MP as Minister of State for Africa at DFID and FCO and Zac Goldsmith who has been named as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DFID and DEFRA.
On Twitter, Minister Stephenson said:
“…looking forward to new challenges as a Minister of State @ForeignOffice & @DFID_UK in a very grand office.”
Minister Goldsmith also tweeted saying:
“Thrilled to be asked by the PM to work across Defra & DfID to expand Protected Areas around our overseas territories, continue Britain’s leadership Vs the Illegal Wildlife Trade, make sure nature recovery is at the heart of UK Aid, & that we raise animal welfare standards at home.”