John Hutton has been announced as the new work and pensions secretary.
The former chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster replaces David Blunkett who resigned from the Cabinet earlier today telling Tony Blair that his position had become “untenable”.
His resignation comes weeks before the Pensions Commission is due to report on how to fill the UK’s massive occupational pensions deficit.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Blunkett had been under increasing pressure to resign over allegations that he had broken the ministerial code of conduct after he took a two-week directorship of DNA Bioscience when not in the Cabinet.
Under parliamentary rules, he should have consulted an independent committee which advises former ministers on whether they should take up jobs.
