Clegg receives sweeping new powers
By politics.co.uk staff
The full range of responsibilities handed to deputy prime minister Nick Clegg was confirmed last night by David Cameron.
In a written ministerial statement on the ‘machinery of government’, the prime minister announced a range of “special” responsibilities were being transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Cabinet Office, where Mr Clegg is based.
Introducing fixed-term parliaments, the alternative vote referendum, Lords reform and party funding are all now specifically under the Liberal Democrat leader’s remit.
The ‘West Lothian’ question, power of recall for wrongdoing MPs and supporting people with disabilities are also included, while Mr Clegg is the minister responsible for parliament’s expenses watchdog and the Electoral Commission.
“These changes are a result of the formation of the coalition government and will help implement the programme for government,” Mr Cameron told the Commons.
“Further adjustments may be made and announced in due course.”
Other changes across Whitehall have been confirmed. Jeremy Hunt merges the Olympics portfolio into the culture, media and sport brief; the Equalities Office becomes part of the Home Office; and the Department for Children, School and Families is renamed the Department for Education.
The latter announced its internal ministerial divisions of responsibility yesterday. Lib Dem Sarah Teather is the children and families minister, with Nick Gibb made schools minister.
