Sunak reshuffle: PM to reshape government departments

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will unveil a new government department focused on energy security and change the responsibilities of three others.

There will also be a reshuffle of ministers, with some new names in senior roles.

Rishi Sunak has been looking for a new party chairman for over a week now, following the sacking of Nadhim Zahawi.

One well-placed source told the BBC they expected Mr Zahawi's successor to be the Trade Minister Greg Hands.

Mr Sunak's cabinet will be meeting later to discuss the changes.

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Were that to be the case, that would mean Mr Sunak would be looking for a new trade minister.

We understand the current Business Secretary Grant Shapps - a former party chairman - will not be the new party chairman.

It is also expected that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy will be broken up.

A ministry focused on energy security will be created. The prime minister promised last summer - when he was campaigning for the job - to re-establish a standalone Department for Energy.

It is thought Mr Sunak wants more focus on securing the UK's energy future, particularly after the recent price spikes.

One of the new departments is expected to be the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

There is uncertainty at the top of government about whether this new department will take on responsibility for online safety, and in particular the Online Safety Bill, or whether it will remain with what was the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan is expected to take maternity leave this spring.

The Westminster rumour mill had been alive with chat about a potential reshuffle all weekend, after requests were made for diaries to be shifted prompted suspicions from some.

Talk of a reshuffle had been dismissed by those around the prime minister. But when both The Sun and The Times reported expected changes, Downing Street refused to comment.

There was fury from some in Whitehall about what was seen as the prime minister's failure to tell his colleagues and the civil service before it was reported by journalists.

"There are a bunch of civil servants going to bed not knowing which department they're going to be working for in the morning," one source said.

"Surely they should have the courtesy of telling us first."

When repeatedly asked to comment on or deny suggestions of a reshuffle or Whitehall reorganisation, a Number 10 source said "no comment".