Industry reacts to newly appointed chancellor and business secretary

This week prime minister Boris Johnson has appointed Rishi Sunak as the new chancellor and Alok Sharma as business secretary, as part of a new cabinet reshuffle.

Sajid Javid, who until this week held the post of chancellor, resigned less than four weeks before this year's budget. Andrea Leadsom, who was appointed business secretary in July last year when Boris Johnson won the Conservative leadership content, was also sacked this week.

Commenting on the two new appointments, Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, said: “I would like to congratulate the new chancellor and business secretary and assure them that manufacturers stand ready to work hand in hand in a positive manner to deliver on the important issues we face.

“These include setting out a vision for the future of our economy which allies a re-invigorated plan for modern industrial transformation with how we are going to tackle the immense societal challenges such as digitisation and climate change.

“Today is a new start and we hope they can get down to work with their renewed vigour and fresh ideas to promote growth, investment and skilled jobs across the whole of the UK.”

Make UK www.makeuk.org