James Heappey and Jacob Rees-Mogg appointed to Liz Truss's Cabinet

James Heappey has retained his role as the Armed Forces Minister, while Jacob Rees-Mogg has become the new Business Secretary. 

After his appointment was confirmed, Mr Heappey tweeted: “Delighted to be asked by the Prime Minister to serve on at @DefenceHQ (the Ministry of Defence) as Minister of State for the Armed Forces and to be representing the interests of my fellow veterans in the Cabinet and across Government.

“Looking forward to working with the team at @VeteransGovUK (the Office for Veterans' Affairs).”

Mr Heappey, who represents the Wells constituency, was appointed to the same role by Mr Johnson in a Cabinet reshuffle in February 2020.

James Heappey (right) and Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Havrylov (centre) watch training provided to Ukrainian soldiers off the coast of Scotland. Picture: Ministry of Defence Crown copyright, PA (Image: Ministry of Defence Crown copyright, PA)

He previously served as the Minister for Defence Procurement from December 2019.

Before entering politics, Mr Heappey reached the rank of Major in the Army. 

He served on operations in Kabul (Afghanistan), Northern Ireland, Basra (Iraq), and Sangin (Helmand Province, Afghanistan) in a 10-year career in the Rifles.

Mr Rees-Mogg, the MP for North East Somerset, has been appointed as the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg leaves 10 Downing Street after this morning's Cabinet meeting. Picture: Victoria Jones, PA (Image: Victoria Jones, PA)

He tweeted: “As Business Secretary, my overriding mission is to deliver affordable and plentiful energy to the British people and to make the economy as efficient, innovative and dynamic as possible. This will be the department for growth.”

Under Boris Johnson, he served as the Leader of the House of Commons (July 2019 to February 2022) and Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency (February to September 2022).

He will work closely with new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in his new position.

Mr Rees-Mogg has expressed free market views and called for de-regulation, which he referenced in his opposition to the EU, throughout his political career.

He faced criticism in 2013 for his support of zero-hour contracts while, more recently, he has campaigned for civil servants to stop working from home.

Mr Rees-Mogg has also warned against “climate alarmism” and said he wants his constituents to have cheap energy “rather more than I would like them to have windmills”.

Ms Truss has named Thérèse Coffey as her Deputy Prime Minister and Health Secretary. 

Suella Braverman will serve as Home Secretary, while James Cleverly has become Foreign Secretary. 

Ms Truss will face her first Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon following her first meeting with the new Cabinet. 

Read more: Somerset MPs react to Liz Truss becoming Prime Minister