London politics latest LIVE: Gavin Williamson in Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet; Dominic Raab and Michael Gove return

Rishi Sunak has been appointing MPs to his Cabinet after sacking a string of ministers in a major clear-out within hours of becoming Prime Minister.

Jeremy Hunt stayed in the role of Chancellor while Dominic Raab was named Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary in the first appointments.

Mr Sunak has appointed Suella Braverman as Home Secretary less than a week after she was out of Liz Truss’s government over a breach of the ministerial code.

While Michael Gove returns to the Cabinet as Levelling Up Secretary after being dramatically sacked by Boris Johnson in July.

Gavin Williamson, who was sacked by Boris Johnson as education secretary after the Covid exams fiasco, returns as a minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.

Penny Mordaunt, who stood for the the leadership twice against Mr Sunak , kepts her job as Leader of the House. Gillian Keegan has been appointed Secretary of State for Education in her first major cabinet role. Steve Barclay MP was named Health Secretary.

James Cleverly stays as Foreign Secretary and Ben Wallace as Secretary of State for Defence. Simon Hart, the Secretary of State for Wales during Boris Johnson’s premiership, has been appointed Chief Whip. Nadhim Zahawi was appointed Minister without Portfolio and Conservative Party chairman.

Oliver Dowden MP has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, meaning he will run the Cabinet Office for Mr Sunak. Close Liz Truss ally and former Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey staying in the cabinet as Environment Secretary was mong other appointments.

Earlier Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg resigned, some ministers appeared to have been given time to quit before being sacked, and others were chopped as Mr Sunak cleared out former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s Cabinet.

Mr Rees-Mogg resigned as Business Secretary and Brandon Lewis quit as Justice Secretary in some of the high profile names to leave cainet.

Earlier, Mr Sunak said he “has work to do to restore trust” as he spoke for the first time after becoming Prime Minister.

“I will unite our country, not with words but, with action. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you,” Mr Sunak said outside No10 Downing St.

It comes after Liz Truss left No10 for the last time, saying in a speech that there were “brighter days lie ahead”.

Cabinet reshuffle in full

14:20 , Sarah Harvey

Read the full comings and goings of Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet, with political reporter Rachael Burford, here.

What is happening today?

07:09 , Miriam Burrell

Good morning.

Liz Truss will hold her final Cabinet meeting at 9am and then deliver a farewell speech outside No10 at 10.15am.

She will travel to Buckingham Palace to have her final audience with King Charles III.

It will then be Rishi Sunak’s turn meet with the King, and the monarch will invite him to form the next government.

After officially being appointed as prime minister, the new Tory leader is expected to then travel back to Downing Street.

Mr Sunak will address the country on the steps of No10 at about 11.35am.

The new prime minister will then form a Cabinet.

Who is tipped to be in Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet?

07:15 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak’s long-time backers Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, Commons Treasury Committee chair Mel Stride and ex-chief whip Mark Harper are tipped to be in his Cabinet.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who was brought in to steady Liz Truss’s ailing Government, is widely expected to keep the keys to No 11.

Penny Mordaunt, who bowed out of the leadership race as she failed to get 100 nominations from Tory MPs, is expected to get some kind of promotion – with some speculating that she could replace Mr Cleverly as foreign secretary.

Sunak ‘just another Conservative who won’t deliver'

07:26 , Miriam Burrell

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said Rishi Sunak is “ just another Conservative who won’t deliver on the values of the people”.

He told the BBC: “We think we need a general election now, we believe that, but it’s increasingly clear the Conservatives don’t trust the British people.

“They’re not going to give people a say and, let me tell you, people are furious about that.

“We’re happy to work with any MP who’s willing to give the people a chance to have their say.”

He added: “I think (Sunak) is going to deliver public spending cuts. I’m not convinced he’s going to look after the less well-off in society.”

Some ‘bruised feelings’ following ‘tough six weeks'

07:51 , Miriam Burrell

Former minister Victoria Atkins there will be “some bruised feelings” following a “very, very tough six weeks” for the Conservative Party.

She told Sky News: “What we saw yesterday was the overwhelming majority of people coming together.

“The reception Rishi got from across the party was so inspiring to see and also so comforting. We have a real chance here of uniting.”

Ms Atkins pointed to Mr Sunak’s record as chancellor during the pandemic, predicting: “We will see more of Rishi in that mode … reassuring us.

“We’ve seen it as we were all huddled around our televisions during lockdown and were reassured by Rishi saying, ‘this is what I’m going to do for you, we’re going to put our arms around you’, and so I’m very, very confident that we will see more of Rishi in that mode, if you like, reassuring us, stabilising the markets.”

Pictured: Media gather outside No10

07:54 , Miriam Burrell

Biden: Sunak as PM is ‘groundbreaking milestone’

08:09 , Miriam Burrell

It is a “groundbreaking milestone” that Rishi Sunak will become the UK’s next prime minister, US President Joe Biden said as he marked Diwali.

“And whether it’s the United Kingdom, where just today, we’ve got news that Rishi Sunak is now the prime minister. As my brother would say, ‘go figure’,” Mr Biden said.

Read more here.

Conservative Party is ‘tired, clapped out, divided'

08:18 , Miriam Burrell

Shadow Treasury minister Pat McFadden has said the Conservative Party is tired and doesn’t have a vision for the future, as he called for a general election.

Mr McFadden told Sky News that the party is “tired, it’s clapped out, it’s divided” and “they do not have any ideas on how to bring the country forward”.

He claimed that British people will be “asked to pay the price” for the Tories’ economic mistakes.

Tories ‘can no longer indulge in debates about policy'

08:31 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak must “make it clear” to the party that it “can no longer indulge in debates about policy”, former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said.

Put to him that Mr Sunak may have his job cut out for him dealing with Tory backbenchers, he told BBC Breakfast: “Well, maybe. I think the truth is that there is a great desire to stop now having an argument in an empty room.

“He needs now to make it clear to his party – my party – that we can no longer indulge in debates about policy, we’ve just got to get on with governing.”

Pictured: Cabinet members arrive at No10

08:34 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss to hold final Cabinet meeting

08:44 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss is about to hold her final Cabinet meeting before giving a farewell speech and handing over the keys to No10 to Rishi Sunak.

Here is the schedule for today:

9am - Liz Truss will hold her final Cabinet meeting

10.15am - She will deliver a farewell speech outside No10

Ms Truss will travel to Buckingham Palace to have her final audience with King Charles III.

It will then be Rishi Sunak’s turn meet with the King, and the monarch will invite him to form the next government.

After officially being appointed as prime minister, the new Tory leader is expected to then travel back to Downing Street.

11.35am - Mr Sunak will address the country on the steps of No10

Tory MP: ‘We’re going to settle down'

09:19 , Miriam Burrell

Former minister Victoria Atkins said she believes the Tories have “turned a corner” and will now “settle down” under Rishi Sunak’s stewardship.

“The range of endorsements and support he’s had from all corners of the party and the enormous reaction he got yesterday when the result was announced, I genuinely think that we have turned a corner,” she told LBC.

“We’re going to settle down, and this period of pretty difficult politics, I hope, will now come to an end and we will be able to focus on the job that, frankly, we all came into politics for.”

Cabinet members unsure of future

09:41 , Miriam Burrell

Cabinet members are unsure if they will get to keep their jobs, with Rishi Sunak set to make changes this afternoon.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who was appointed by Liz Truss just weeks ago, told reporters he doesn’t know if he will stay in the role.

Defeated Penny Mordaunt is among members who attended Ms Truss’s final Cabinet meeting. She is expected to have a promotion under the new prime minister.

Mr Sunak’s long-time backers Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, Commons Treasury Committee chair Mel Stride and ex-chief whip Mark Harper are tipped to be in his Cabinet.

Cabinet members wait for Liz Truss farewell speech

10:13 , Miriam Burrell

Cabinet members have gathered outside No11 to hear Liz Truss deliver her farewell speech.

Ms Truss is expected to address the country at 10.15am.

She will then travel to Buckingham Palace to have a final audience with the King.

Liz Truss: ‘Great honour to be PM'

10:18 , Sarah Harvey

“It has been a huge honour to be Prime Minister of this great country,” Liz Truss has said in her farewell speech.

“This Government has acted urgently and decisively.

“We are taking back our energy independence so we are never again beholden to fluctuating markets.”

Ukraine must prevail, Liz Truss says

10:20 , Miriam Burrell

“We simply cannot afford to be a low-growth country where the Government takes up an increasing share of our national growth,” Ms Truss said. “We need to take advatange of our Brexit freedoms...this means delivering freedom for our own citizens and restoring power to our democratic institutions.”

“We must be able to outcompete autocratic regimes...and now more than ever we must support Ukraine.

“Ukraine must prevail.”

Truss: ‘Brighter days lie ahead'

10:21 , Miriam Burrell

“Our country continues to battle through a storm, but I belive in Britain. I believe in the British people and I know that brighter days lie ahead,” Ms Trus said before ending her short speech.

She has left Downing St with her husband Hugh O’Leary and two daughters Frances, 16, and Liberty, 13.

Truss tells Cabinet they ‘secured significant achievements’

10:24 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss told her Cabinet they had “secured some significant achievements” during her short spell as Prime Minister, according to Downing Street.

After her final meeting in charge, No 10 said: “She said that in the short time the Government had been in place they had secured some significant achievements.”

Ms Truss noted to her Cabinet that they had stuck to her pledge of scrapping the national insurance hike imposed by Rishi Sunak as chancellor.

In its account of her final Cabinet meeting, Downing Street said: “The Government also stuck to its pledge to scrap the rise in national insurance and demonstrated its steadfast commitment in supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s war of aggression.”

Liz Truss arrives at Buckingham Palace

10:28 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss has arrived at Buckingham Palace to have a final audience with the King.

Liz Truss quotes Roman philosopher

10:36 , Miriam Burrell

Outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss quoted Roman philosopher Seneca as she gave her farewell speech outside Number 10.

She said: “From my time as prime minister, I’m more convinced than ever that we need to be bold and confront the challenges that we face.

“As the Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, it’s not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it’s because we do not dare that they are difficult.

“We simply cannot afford to be a low-growth country where the government takes up an increasing share of our national wealth and where there are huge divides between different parts of our country.”

Truss applauded as she exits No10

10:42 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss was applauded by those gathered outside Number 11, including Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey, as she finished her speech and departed from Number 10.

She proceeded with her husband Hugh O’Leary and two daughters, who had watched her speech from behind her. Ms Trusshas left with a police escort to meet the King at Buckingham Palace.

Her final speech as Prime Minister lasted three minutes and seven seconds, less than half the length of the farewell speech by her predecessor Boris Johnson, which ran for seven minutes and 33 seconds.

It was also around a minute shorter than the speech she made in Downing Street on becoming Prime Minister, which lasted four minutes and four seconds.

Liz Truss meets with King

10:47 , Miriam Burrell

Outgoing Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived at Buckingham Palace with her family for her final audience as premier with the King.

She was greeted by Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Queen Consort, and the monarch’s Equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson.

The head of state and Ms Truss will meet in the palace’s 1844 Room, where the former Tory Party leader will offer her resignation to the King.

Her family are expected to join her towards the end of the audience. Following convention, the politician will leave the palace via a private route.

Truss wishes Rishi Sunak ‘every success'

10:53 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss wished incoming prime minister Rishi Sunak “every success for the good of our country” as she bid farewell to No10 Downing Street.

“In just a short period, this government has acted urgently and decisively on the side of hard working families and businesses,” she said in her farewell speech.

“We reversed the National Insurance increase. We helped millions of households with their energy bills, and helped thousands of businesses avoid bankruptcy.

“We are taking back our energy independence so we are never again beholden to global market fluctuations, or malign foreign powers.”

SNP: Truss should have apologised

10:56 , Miriam Burrell

The SNP has criticised Liz Truss for failing to apologise during her final speech.

Deputy Westminster leader Kirsten Oswald said: “It beggars belief that Liz Truss couldn’t bring herself to apologise – or utter a single word of regret – for the catastrophic damage she has done to the UK economy.

“Families are paying through their teeth for her mistakes as mortgage rates soar, pensions fall, energy bills rise and inflation goes through the roof.

“Now we face devastating austerity cuts under Rishi Sunak – with families footing the bill for Tory failure.”

Liz Truss tenders resignation with King

11:01 , Miriam Burrell

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss MP had an Audience of The King this morning and tendered her resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.”

Rishi Sunak travels to Buckingham Palace

11:06 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak is on his way to Buckingham Palace to officially become prime minister.

King Charles III will invite Mr Sunak to form a government after Liz Truss tendered her resignation.

Rishi Sunak meets King

11:10 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak has been welcomed to Buckingham Palace.

Mr Sunak, who just yesterday was named as the new Tory leader, will be formally invited to form a government and become prime minister during his audience with the King.

He was welcomed by Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Queen Consort, the monarch’s Equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, and Sir Edward Young, joint principal private secretary to the King.

Reaction to Liz Truss's farewell speech

11:30 , Miriam Burrell

Liz Truss is being criticised for failing to apologise or take responsibility for the economic fallout from her mini-Budget during her farewell speech outside No10.

Pictured: Rishi Sunak meets King Charles III

11:32 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak officially becomes Prime Minister

11:38 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak is now the UK’s 57th prime minister after being invited to form a government by King Charles.

He is the third prime minister this year and the youngest in two centuries.

Rishi Sunak to address the nation

11:47 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak has left Buckingham Palace and is set to deliver his first public address as prime minister outside Number 10 Downing Street.

Here is a recap of this morning’s events.

‘Some mistakes were made’

11:53 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak has accepted the King’s invitation to form a government in his name.

“It is only right to explain why I’m standing here as your new prime minister,” he said in his first address to the nation as PM outside No10.

“I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Liz Truss. She was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country.

“She was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country – it is a noble aim.

“I admired her restlessness to create change – but some mistakes were made.

“Not born of ill-will or bad intention – quite the opposite in fact.

“But mistakes, nonetheless.”

Rishi Sunak: ‘I will earn your trust'

11:55 , Miriam Burrell

“I will unite our country not with words but with action. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you,” new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

“This government will have integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level. Trust is earned and I will earn yours.”

‘I fully appreciate how hard things are'

11:57 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak said he will build an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit and will create jobs.

“I understand how difficult this moment is, after the billions of pounds it cost us to combat Covid, after all the dislocation that was caused in the midst of a terrible war that must been seen successfully to its conclusion,” he said.

“I fully appreciate how hard things are.”

Rishi Sunak enters No10 as PM

11:58 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak was applauded as he walked into Number 10 as Britain’s new prime minister.

Sunak pledges to ‘fix' Truss’s ‘mistakes’

12:00 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak has said he is determined to “fix” the “mistakes” made by his predecessor Liz Truss.

Speaking on the steps of Downing Street, the new Prime Minister said the country is facing a “profound economic crisis”.

Mr Sunak said Ms Truss was “not wrong” to want to deliver economic growth but that mistakes had been made in doing so.

Rishi Sunak vows to bring ‘compassion’ to economic challenges

12:07 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak said he has been elected as leader of the Conservative Party “in part to fix” Liz Truss’s mistakes.

“And that work begins immediately. I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this Government’s agenda,” the new prime minister vowed to the British people outside No10.

“This will mean difficult decisions to come.

“But you saw me during Covid doing everything I could to protect people and businesses with schemes like furlough.

“There are always limits, more so now than ever. But I promise you this – I will bring that same compassion to the challenges we face today.”

Rishi Sunak ‘grateful’ to Boris Johnson

12:13 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak has said he will “always be grateful” to Boris Johnson for his “incredible achievements” in No 10.

He pledged to deliver on the Conservative 2019 manifesto, insisting Mr Johnson would agree it is not “the sole property of any one individual”.

“I will deliver on its promise. A stronger NHS, better schools, safer streets, control of our borders, protecting our environment, supporting our armed forces, levelling up and building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit where businesses invest, innovate and create jobs.”

Mr Johnson has congratulated Mr Sunak.

Rishi Sunak ‘not daunted’ by task ahead

12:19 , Miriam Burrell

Rishi Sunak said he is “not daunted” by the task ahead as he stands “ready to lead our country into the future”.

“I fully appreciate how hard things are and I understand too that I have work to do to restore trust after all that has happened,” the prime minister said.

“All I can say is that I am not daunted. I know the high office I have accepted and I hope to live up to its demands.

“But when the opportunity to serve comes along, you cannot question the moment, only your willingness. So, I stand here before you ready to lead our country into the future.”

Labour: ‘Public needs a fresh start'

12:25 , Miriam Burrell

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the British public needs “a fresh start” while he congratulated Rishi Sunak for becoming the first British Asian prime minister.

International leaders congratulate new PM

12:33 , Miriam Burrell

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron are among world leaders that have congratulated Rishi Sunak.

Sunak’s first speech was one of the longest ever for a new PM

12:43 , Will Mata

Rishi Sunak's first speech as Prime Minister was one of longest delivered in Downing Street by a newly appointed prime minister in recent decades.

He spoke for five minutes and 56 seconds - longer than the time taken by nearly all of his predecessors when they made similar remarks at the start of their premiership.

The one exception is Boris Johnson, who spoke for 11 minutes and 13 seconds in Downing Street after being appointed prime minister in 2019.

Mr Sunak spoke for almost two minutes longer than Liz Truss, who took four minutes and four seconds to deliver her first speech in September 2022.

His speech also outran that of Theresa May in 2016 (four minutes and 42 seconds), David Cameron in 2010 (four minutes exactly), Gordon Brown in 2007 (two minutes and 49 seconds), Tony Blair in 1997 (five minutes and 17 seconds) and John Major in 1990 (two minutes and 49 seconds).

It’s not official until it’s on Twitter...

12:54 , Will Mata

Rish Sunak and Liz Truss have wasted no time to clarify their new statuses on social media.

The pair follow each other on Twitter.

Jacob Rees-Mogg resigns

12:55 , Will Mata

Jacob Rees-Mogg resigned from the Government after Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister, a source close to the outgoing Business Secretary told the PA news agency.

The source added: "He knows he was very close to the previous two regimes and it didn't seem likely he was going to be appointed in the new Cabinet.

"He's happy to support the Prime Minister from the backbenches."

‘Markets unmoved by Sunak takeover'

12:57 , Will Mata

Markets remained largely unmoved by the entrance of Rishi Sunak into No 10 Downing Street on Tuesday.

The FTSE 100 had already been trading down before Mr Sunak took the top job. It was down around 0.5 per cent to 6,977 points shortly after midday.

Meanwhile, the pound was around 0.4 cents more expensive, trading up around 0.3 per cent against the dollar to a little over 1.13.

The yield on Government bonds dropped slightly on the day, reaching 3.72 per cent - remaining below the level it was at before the mini budget was announced a little over a month ago.

A u-turn by Jacob Rees Mogg?

13:06 , Will Mata

Jacob Rees-Mogg’s decision to step down as business secretary was made only two hours after a Daily Telegraph article was published - where he said he would be willing to serve in the cabinet.

He had called Mr Sunak a “socialist” in the Conservative Party’s leadership battle over the summer but when asked about those comments, he appeared on Tuesday to retract them.

“That was said in the run up to the leadership campaign, under very different circumstances,” he said. “The leader of the Conservative Party is clearly not a socialist.”

Brandon Lewis also resigns

13:07 , Will Mata

Brandon Lewis has said he is out as Justice Secretary as he vowed to support Rishi Sunak from the backbenches.

He tweeted: “An honour to have been one of the longest serving Cabinet ministers - having done eight ministerial roles, in five departments, under four Prime Ministers.

“The new PM will have my support from the back benches to tackle the many challenges we face - as a Party and as a country.”

Mr Lewis sent a resignation letter to the new Prime Minister.

"Our party is at a crossroads," it read.

"We now have an opportunity to reunite and rebuild, and we must take it. We must come together and deliver the mandate we were given by the British people.

"We have a duty to the country to do so, at a time of economic hardship for so many. It is no exaggeration to say that the future of the Conservative Party and everything we stand for is at stake if we do not.

"You will have my support from the backbenches in addressing the economic crisis we face, bringing our party together and delivering on the promises we put forward in the 2019 manifesto, on which we won such an overwhelming majority."

Election said to be ruled out - despite SNP calls

13:16 , Will Mata

The SNP's Westminster leader has said the new Prime Minister is "feart" of voters after he ruled out a general election.

Rishi Sunak took office on Tuesday following the resignation of Liz Truss - who was the shortest serving prime minister in history.

As Mr Sunak - the third Prime Minister since early September - moves into Number 10, calls from opposition parties for an election to be called grow.

Ian Blackford claimed Mr Sunak is scared of going to the country, with polls suggesting a substantial Labour majority could be returned.

The Prime Minister is said to have ruled out calling an election when he spoke to MPs on Monday.

Sunak ‘now set to sack or demote’ ministers

13:22 , Will Mata

Rishi Sunak has now stepped inside the Houses of Parliament and could be sacking or demoting ministers where cameras cannot see them.

Rumoured for demotion are supporters of Liz Truss including Ben Wallace and Therese Coffey while Ms Truss herself is unlikely to serve on the frontbenches.

Backers of Boris Johnson, such as Nadhim Zahawi and Kit Malthouse, could also be shown the door while the future of Tory mainstays Grant Shapps, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt remain in doubt.

Zelensky hopes to maintain UK-Ukraine relationship

13:24 , Will Mata

The President of Ukraine has said he is "ready to continue strengthening the strategic partnership" with the UK as Rishi Sunak said the "terrible war... must be seen successfully to its conclusion".

Speaking outside Number 10 on Tuesday, the incoming Prime Minister referenced Russia's invasion of Ukraine twice, saying: "Putin's war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped Mr Sunak would "overcome all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today".

In a tweet after Mr Sunak's first speech as Prime Minister, Mr Zelensky said: "Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on taking office as Prime Minister!

"I wish you to successfully overcome all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today.

"I'm ready to continue strengthening the - strategic partnership together!"

Returns rumoured for Suella Braverman and Gavin Williamson

13:27 , Will Mata

Michael Ellis, the Attorney General, has entered the corridor leading to the Prime Minister's parliamentary office as Rishi Sunak is expected to carry out a Cabinet reshuffle.

Former Cabinet minister Gavin Williamson, who supported Mr Sunak, left the corridor with the PM's office shortly before Mr Ellis arrived.

There have also been reports of Suella Braverman returning to the fold, perhaps even as home secretary - a week after she resigned the position. She also endorsed Mr Sunak’s candidacy for leadership.

Wendy Morton to return to backbenches

13:31 , Will Mata

Wendy Morton has said she will depart her role as chief whip and return to the backbenches.

She tweeted: “Heading to the back benches from where I will continue to represent the constituents, businesses and communities of Aldridge-Brownhills.”

More MPs resign

13:54 , Miriam Burrell

Minister for Development in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Vicky Ford and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Chloe Smith are among the latest MPs to resign.

Removal van outside No10

14:05 , Miriam Burrell

A removal van can be seen outside Number 10 Downing Street as Liz Truss departs and Rishi Sunak moves in.

Kit Malthouse out as Education Secretary - reports

14:13 , Miriam Burrell

Kit Malthouse is out as education secretary, a source close to the MP has told the PA news agency.

Robert Buckland moves to backbenches

14:16 , Miriam Burrell

Robert Buckland said he is leaving as Welsh Secretary at his request.

Jake Berry departs

14:17 , Miriam Burrell

Announcing his departure from the role of Conservative Party chairman, Jake Berry tweeted: “It has been an honour to serve as the Conservative Party chairman, but all good things must come to an end.

“I relish the opportunity to serve our great party and my constituents from the backbenches once again.”

Environment Secretary ‘steps aside'

14:25 , Miriam Burrell

Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena said he is stepping aside as the prime minister “wishes for a new team” in his Cabinet.

Joe Biden congratulates Rishi Sunak

14:31 , Miriam Burrell

US President Joe Biden tweeted: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“Together, I look forward to enhancing our cooperation on issues critical to global security and prosperity, including continuing our strong support for Ukraine.”

Justin Trudeau hopes to ‘strengthen partnership’ with UK

14:34 , Miriam Burrell

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has congratulated Rishi Sunak and thanked Liz Truss for her service.

“As we work to deliver results for the people who call Canada and the United Kingdom home, let’s continue to strengthen this partnership,” he said.

Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke resigns

14:40 , Miriam Burrell

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Simon Clarke said he has “come to appreciate the full weight of responsibility that ministers bear” as he resigned.

Kit Malthouse confirms his departure

14:44 , Miriam Burrell

Education Secretary Kit Malthouse tweeted: “As I leave the DfE, I do so with profound gratitude to officials, my private office team, and brilliant advisers, who all worked so hard.

“I hope my successor can harness their commitment to the most important mission in Whitehall: the future and welfare of our children.”

Pound soars as ministers quit en masse

14:47 , Miriam Burrell

The pound soared and the cost of Government borrowing dropped as ministers appointed by former prime minister Liz Truss resigned en masse.

Sterling gained more than a cent against the dollar within the space of an hour as several ministers stepped down.

By around 2.30pm the currency was trading at a little over 1.14 dollars.

Meanwhile 30-year gilt yields, which determine the interest that the Government pays on some of its loans, dropped 0.15 percentage points to 3.6%.

Alok Sharma no longer Cabinet Office minister

14:52 , Miriam Burrell

In the first announcement from No10, Alok Sharma kept his job as COP26 President but will no longer be a Minister of State at the Cabinet Office or attend Cabinet.

Rishi Sunak arrives back at No10

14:55 , Miriam Burrell

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has returned to Downing Street, with details of his new Cabinet imminent.

Mr Sunak, having dismissed Cabinet ministers in the Prime Minister’s Commons office, then returned to No10 to appoint their replacements.

Keir Starmer says new PM ‘weak'

15:00 , Miriam Burrell

Sir Keir Starmer has said that Rishi Sunak will be a “weak” Prime Minister who will always have to put the interests of the Tory Party before those of the country.

Addressing the shadow cabinet, the Labour leader said Mr Sunak has only ever fought one leadership election battle his entire life when he “got thrashed” by Liz Truss.

“Rishi Sunak stabbed Boris Johnson in the back when he thought he could get his job. And in the same way, he will now try and disown the Tory record of recent years and recent months and pretend that he is a new broom,” Sir Keir said, according to a readout of the meeting.

Watch: Rishi Sunak’s speech in full

15:06 , Miriam Burrell

In case you missed it, here is Rishi Sunak’s first public address as prime minister.

MPs begin arriving at Downing Street

15:45 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Dominic Raab, former deputy prime minister, was the first MP to be seen entering No 10, as Rishi Sunak carries out his Cabinet reshuffle.

BREAKING: Jeremy Hunt reappointed as Chancellor

15:46 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Jeremy Hunt has kept his position as Chancellor of the Exchequer under new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He is the first member of Mr Sunak’s Cabinet to be appointed.

Mr Hunt nodded as he left No 10, as he was asked by reporters gathered outside “can you fix the economy?”

James Cleverly among others to arrive at Downing Street

15:54 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

MP James Cleverly, foreign secretary under Liz Truss, has been seen entering No 10.

He was swiftly followed by Oliver Dowden, who served as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from 2020 to 2021.

Pictured: Jeremy Hunt leaving No10 as he remains Chancellor

15:59 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Mr Hunt is so far the only cabinet member to be appointed by Rishi Sunak.

Other MPs James Cleverly, Dominic Raab and Oliver Dowden have also been seen entering No 10, and it is thought others could already be inside.

BREAKING: Dominic Raab is deputy prime minister

16:07 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Dominic Raab has been appointed deputy prime minister and justice secretary.

Mr Raab previously held both of the roles under prime minister Boris Johnson.

More MPs have arrived

16:10 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

MPs Nadhim Zahawi, current Home Secretary Grant Shapps and Suella Braverman have all been seen entering No10.

Ms Braverman is the first female MP to be seen entering during Mr Sunak’s reshuffle.

Pound surges to highest level since before mini-budget

16:15 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

The pound has surged further to strike its highest level since before Liz Truss’s Government’s mini-budget announcement last month.

Sterling lifted 1.9% higher to 1.149 against the US dollar after Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile 30-year gilt yields, which determine the interest that the Government pays on some of its loans, were 0.1 percentage points lower at 3.65%.

Hunt: ‘Protecting jobs, mortgages and bills’ will be my priority as Chancellor

16:21 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Jeremy Hunt has shares his delight at being reappointed Chancellor by Rishi Sunak, saying “protecting the vulnerable” will be his priority.

He wrote on Twitter: shortly before 4.20pm: “Honoured to serve our country, and @RishiSunak, as Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is going to be tough.

“But protecting the vulnerable - and people’s jobs, mortgages and bills - will be at the front of our minds as we work to restore stability, confidence and long-term growth.”

BREAKING: Simon Hart appointed Chief Whip

16:22 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Simon Hart has been confirmed as the Chief Whip, replacing Wendy Morton. Mr Hart previously served as Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson.

Gillian Keegan seen entering No10

16:25 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Gillian Keegan - an MP and businesswoman currently serving as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa - has been seen entering the doors of No10.

BREAKING: James Cleverly remains Foreign Secretary

16:26 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

James Cleverly has retained his position as Foreign Secretary - a role he was initially given just weeks ago under Liz Truss.

Mel Stride strides into Downing Street

16:30 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Mel Stride, chair of the treasury select committee, is the latest MP seen entering No10.

BREAKING: Ben Wallace remains Defence Secretary

16:30 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Ben Wallace has kept his position as Secretary of State for Defence.

His reappointment to the role marks another element of continuity in Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet, which has seen Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also retain their roles.

Michael Gove and Thérèse Coffey expected to be given Cabinet positions

16:37 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Michael Gove has been seen entering No10 along with Thérèse Coffey.

Ms Coffey served as both deputy prime minister and Health Secretary during Lis Truss’s premiership.

Mr Gove did not serve as a minister under Liz Truss, but held various Cabinet positions under Prime Ministers David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson.

BREAKING: Nadhim Zahawi given Cabinet position

16:38 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

MP Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed Minister without Portfolio. This means he will form part of Mr Sunak’s Cabinet, but will not have his own governmental department.

Nadhim Zahawi made Tory Party chair

16:43 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Mr Zahawi, who has just been named Minister without Portfolio in Mr Sunak’s Cabinet, has also just been named the new Conservative Party chair.

BREAKING: Oliver Dowden made Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

16:45 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Oliver Dowden MP has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, meaning he will run the Cabinet Office for Mr Sunak.

Zahawi: I can unity Conservatives as new party chair

16:52 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Asked by a reporter as he left Downing Street whether he will be able to unite the Conservatives as new Party chair, he gave a double thumbs up and responded: “Yes we can”.

Steve Barclay seen entering No10

16:53 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Steve Barclay is the latest Tory MP to enter 10 Downing Street for Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet shake-up.

Foreign Secretary vows to continue standing by Ukraine

16:57 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

James Cleverly says he is “honoured” to be reappointed as Foreign Secretary, and has vowed to continue standing with Ukraine during its war with Russia.

Posting on Twitter shortly after his reappointment, he wrote: “Continuing to protect UK interests overseas and support to our friends and allies around the world, defending democracy and freedom especially standing with [an image of the Ukrainian flag].”

Kemi Badenoch arrives in Downing Street

16:59 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Kemi Badenoch, currently Secretary of State for International Trade, has also been seen entering No10.

BREAKING: Suella Braverman reappointed Home Secretary

17:01 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Suella Braverman has been reappointed as Home Secretary less than a week after resigning from the role.

Ms Braverman was made Home Secretary under Liz Truss, but dramatically resigned last week after admitting that she sent an “official document” from her personal email in contravention of Government rules.

In a scathing resignation letter attacking then-Prime Minister Liz Truss, she said that she had “concerns about the direction of this government” and that ministers had broken “key pledges” to voters in a number of policy areas.

BREAKING: Grant Shapps becomes Business Secretary

17:02 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Grant Shapps has been appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Pictured: Suella Braverman leaving No10 as Home Secretary

17:17 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Suella Braverman has been photographed leaving No10 following her reappointment as Home Secretary less than a week after resigning from the role.

Ms Braverman stepped down after admitting breaching the ministerial code by sending an “official document” to a parliamentary colleague from her personal email.

David Davies and Alister Jack join MPs in No10

17:21 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

David Davies and Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack have been seen entering No10.

They join a number of MPs who are assembled inside but have not yet been assigned ministerial positions. Among them are current Health Secretary Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, and MPs Michael Gove and Gillian Keegan who do not currently hold Cabinet positions.

BREAKING: Penny Mordaunt kept on as Leader of the House

17:22 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Penny Mordaunt - who has twice run against Rishi Sunak in the race to become Tory leader and UK Prime Minister - has retained her position as Leader of the House of Commons.

‘Let’s get to work’ says new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

17:33 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Oliver Dowden, the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said he was “delighted” to take on the role.

“Let’s get to work,” he tweeted.

BREAKING: Gillian Keegan becomes Education Secretary

17:41 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Gillian Keegan has been appointed Education Secretary by Mr Sunak, marking her first time as a cabinet minister.

Ms Keegan beamed at journalists who congratulated her on her new position as she left Downing Street. She smiled at the cameras but declined requests for interviews outside No 10.

Pictured: Penny Mordaunt leaving No10

17:46 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Penny Mordaunt has been photographed leaving Downing Street after being reappointed Leader of the House of Commons by Rishi Sunak.

Ms Mordaunt ran against Mr Sunak in the race to become Tory leader and Prime Minister. She had been tipped by some to receive a more senior Cabinet position, after she pulled out of the leadership contest having failed to win the backing of enough MPs.

BREAKING: Mel Stride appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

17:50 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

MP Mel Stride has been awarded for his loyalty to new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, by being appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

A staunch supporter of Mr Sunak, Mr Stride previously served as chair of the Treasury Select Committee - a role that saw him vocally criticise the mini-budget hatched by former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and then-Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Foreign Secretary holds phone call with Ukraine counterpart

17:55 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

James Cleverly has held a talk with his counterpart in Ukraine following his reappointment as Foreign Secretary.

The phone call comes after Mr Cleverly vowed to continue standing with the country during its war with Russia.

On Twitter Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minisiter of Foreign Affairs, wrote shortly after 5pm: “I had a call with my UK counterpart @JamesCleverly who has just been re-appointed to the new government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

“Governments may change, but the support of our UK friends will remain unwavering for as long as it is needed for Ukraine to win.”

BREAKING: Thérèse Coffey appointed Environment Secretary

17:57 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Thérèse Coffey, who served as Health Secretary under Liz Truss, has been made Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) by Rishi Sunak.

Ms Coffey also previously held the position of deputy prime minister under Ms Truss’s premiership.

She served as Minister of State at Defra in 2019, when Boris Johnson was Prime Minister.

When asked by reporters outside No10 whether she was happy with her new position, Ms Coffey said: “Very much so. Going home to Defra is great.”

BREAKING: Steve Barclay becomes UK’s new Health Secretary

17:58 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Steve Barclay MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

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