The Conservative MP for Swindon North, Justin Tomlinson has just been announced as the new Minister for Disabled People.
Tomlinson takes up his first full portfolio having been an MP since the 2010 General Election and takes over from Mark Harper who has been promoted to Chief Whip.
Justin Tomlinson becomes the fifth Minister for Disabled People in as many years under David Cameron’s government; indeed, some Able readers have contacted us to suggest that more consistency in the role would be helpful.
The backdrop to the appointment is, of course, the surprise Conservative party majority at the General Election and the questions about where exactly the axe will fall on public spending in order to pull back the 12bn shortfall. Other benefits such as child tax credit seem to have been protected, leaving others, including disability, potentially vulnerable to cuts.
Apparently, in his younger years Tomlinson placed a bet that he would be Prime Minister before 2038. He might be surprised to learn that former Prime Minister, John Major was also once, Minister for Disabled People. (He stands to win £500,000 should the omen prove to be a good one.)