Norman appointed construction minister

Norman (pictured) was handed the post Minister for Industry and Energy under Secretary of State, MP for Royal Tunbridge Wells, Greg Clark, the department confirmed on 1 August.

In the role he will be in charge of construction and infrastructure alongside technology, industrial policy, aerospace, professional services, rail supply chain and energy policy, including nuclear, oil, gas and shale gas.

Norman has served as an MP since May 2010. During that time he sat on a number of committees, including the Treasury committee, Culture, Media and Sport committee and Commons Liaison committee.

He has been an avid campaigner against private finance initiatives (PFI) which had created what he called a “toxic combination of PFI costs and no public spending reserves” in an opinion piece in the Guardian newspaper in 2011. He launched a cross-party campaign at the time, calling for a £500m-£1bn rebate from PFI firms.

BEIS was formed to replace the previous department of Business, Innovation and Skills following Theresa May’s appointment as Prime Minister in July.

Its responsibilities include industrial strategy; energy; business; consumers; employees; science; innovation, research, and climate change.

In particular it is responsible for developing an industrial strategy and leading the government’s relationship with business, ensuring secure energy supply, tackling climate change and promoting competition.

Clark said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed to lead this new department charged with delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy, leading government’s relationship with business, furthering our world-class science base, delivering affordable, clean energy and tackling climate change.

“I’m supported by a great ministerial team and we will work tirelessly to deliver on all of these areas, which are vital for the future success of our country.”

The department is also made up of climate change minister Nick Hurd; universities, science, research and innovation minister Jo Johnson; energy minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe; and minister in charge of small business, consumers, and corporate responsibility Margot James.