Hodge rejoins Government after husband's death

Margaret Hodge rejoined the Government ranks today, resuming her position as Culture and Tourism Minister after a period of compassionate leave.

The MP for Barking stepped down almost a year ago to look after her seriously ill husband, Sir Henry Hodge, who died in June.

Barbara Follett, who stepped into the role, has been moved into a junior ministerial role at the Department for Communities and Local Government.

She fills the vacancy left by the departure of Sarah McCarthy-Fry, who moved to the Treasury in June following the resignation of Kitty Ussher.

Downing Street is yet to announce who will fill the vacancies left by the decision of a number of ministers appointed from among outside experts to quit.

All but one of Gordon Brown's "goats" - named after the Prime Minister's stated aim to form a "government of all the talents" - have departed.