BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid says he is ‘honoured’ to have been asked to serve as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
He said it was ‘a critical time’ to take up the role and added: “I look forward to contributing to our fight against the pandemic, and serving my country from the Cabinet once again.”
Mr Javid was appointed after the resignation of Matt Hancock.
Mr Hancock quit earlier today from the role after pictures emerged on the front of The Sun newspaper yesterday of him embracing his aide Gina Coladangelo.
The Prime Minister had backed Mr Hancock despite him breaking Covid guidelines that he himself had helped to draw up.
Pressure mounted on him to either resign or be sacked and Mr Hancock announced he would be stepping down via a video statement on Twitter.
It is understood that Mr Javid, who has already held several high profile posts including Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary, is seen to be an ideal replacement because of his previous cabinet experience.
The Government confirmed the appointment, saying: “The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”
Mr Javid was Home Secretary from April 2018 to July 2019 when he left the role to become Chancellor and he held that post until February 13, 2020.
Before coming into politics he had a successful 18-year career in banking before he headed into politics in 2010.
Since being elected to Bromsgrove a decade ago he has increased his majority at each subsequent election.
The British Medical Association said Mr Javid had a ‘huge and urgent task ahead’.
The organisation’s chair of council Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA chair of council, said: “He must ensure completing the roll-out of the adult vaccination programme at rapid pace to control spiralling infection rates.
“He must also put forward a credible plan to tackle a backlog of care of unprecedented scale whilst at the same time rebuilding the trust of doctors and the wider healthcare workforce.”
He added frontline doctors and other staff had gone above and beyond time and time again over the course of the last 18 months, with many suffering from burnout and mental ill health as a result.
“The new Secretary of State must show he understands this challenge and must also be willing to listen to the voice of the frontline on the Government’s plans for sweeping changes in the running of the NHS in the upcoming Health and Care Bill.
“It is imperative that doctors are able to take leave, rest and regroup before tackling the biggest waiting list the NHS has ever seen.”
He added the association looked forward to meeting Mr Javid as soon as possible and urged him to think again about the Government’s one per cent pay proposal which, on top of punitive pension changes, risked driving a generation of senior, experienced doctors into early retirement.
“Sajid Javid must now show that the Government understands the value of frontline healthcare workers and their critical role in the future of our NHS.”
