Read: Claire Coutinho appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net-Zero in Rishi Sunak’s mini reshuffle

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has today announced a mini-reshuffle of his Cabinet, following Ben Wallace’s decision to stand down.

Claire Coutinho has been appointed as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net-Zero, whilst Grant Shapps takes over Wallace’s former role as Defence Secretary.

Coutinho is seen as a rising star in the party, having previously served as Minister for Children and Families - overseeing the development and implementation of the government’s flagship childcare reforms that will double access to free childcare from 15 hours to 30 hours in the coming years. These reforms were a key recommendation in Lord Walney’s Cost of Living report published early this year.

Last year, Claire Coutinho joined leading Purpose Coalition Members to celebrate International Women’s Day, and in an interview with the Fit for Purpose magazine, set out the importance of employers playing their part in supporting women in the workplace.

Coutinho takes over at what is a crucial time for energy security in Britain. As the UK deals with the challenges of the cost of living and the impact of the war of the Ukraine on energy prices, creating a diverse and future focused energy mix for the UK has never been more important.

The Purpose Energy & Infrastructure Coalition, part of the wider Purpose Coalition, is made up of the UK’s most innovative leaders and businesses in the sectors, working to improve the diversity of the UK’s energy supply, deliver on net zero and open up the opportunities it can provide for creating more jobs, opportunities and investment.

Find out more about the Purpose Energy Coalition at https://www.purposeenergyinfrastructurecoalition.org/