Jo Swinson appointed UK minister for postal affairs
The UK government has confirmed that Jo Swinson has been appointed as the new minister responsible for postal affairs within the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills, following this week’s cabinet reshuffle. Swinson, 32, is the Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire and currently the deputy leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
She first entered Parliament in 2005, spending four years as the youngest MP in the House of Commons. From 2007 Swinson was Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Women and Equality, and for Communities and Local Government. From 2008 to 2010 she was Lib Dem spokesperson for Foreign Affairs.
The UK’s new Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs, Jo Swinson
Swinson takes over from Norman Lamb as the UK’s minister for postal affairs. Lamb was appointed postal affairs minister in February this year, but under Prime Minister David Cameron’s ministerial reshuffle this week, he has been appointed minister for care services within the Department of Health.
The new postal affairs minister also has employment relations, consumer policy, competition policy, corporate guidance and company law in her portfolio.
Union welcome
The Communication Workers Union, which represents 204,500 members in post, telecoms and financial services sectors, welcomed the appointment of Jo Swinson to the position of Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs following the Cabinet reshuffle this week.
The union warned that the coming months are likely to be busy and challenging times for postal issues in particular.
Commenting on the appointment, CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: ““We congratulate Jo Swinson on her appointment and we welcome her to the role at what is a challenging time for the postal industry.
“It’s going to be a busy time and we’ll be hoping to meet with her soon.
“Clearly there are key areas where we’ll disagree, but our hope is that we will also be able to work together to improve the postal sector.”
Hayes added: “On paper, the new Minister’s track record on equalities looks very positive. We hope that this will mean a practical commitment to equality in the workplace too. The announcement on employment law next week could be an opportunity for the Minister to demonstrate this.”
