Rishi Sunak creates new energy department to tackle soaring bills

No 10 admits mini-reshuffle not a ‘silver bullet’ for UK’s woes

Rishi Sunak has created a standalone ministry for energy security as he tries to improve economic growth and cut sky-high bills in the face of disastrous poll ratings.

In a mini-reshuffle, the prime minister also plumped for an ally to replace Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative party chair sacked a week ago after he was found to have broken the ministerial code over his tax affairs.

Greg Hands, a Sunak loyalist seen as a safe pair of hands, is now tasked with saving dozens of Tory MPs’ seats at the next general election. But Mr Sunak risked a backlash by appointing Lee Anderson, a Tory MP who said food bank users can’t budget, as deputy chair. One Tory MP and former minister told the Independent Mr Anderson would be a “walking embarrassment” in the job.