Who will replace Iain Duncan Smith as the next Work and Pensions Secretary?

A few possible candidates to fill the hole at the top of the Department of Work and Pensions

Iain Duncan Smith resigned from his Cabinet role as the Department of Work and Pensions Secretary (Getty)

The resignation of Iain Duncan Smith as Work and Pensions Secretary has left the Tory government in a state of chaos and confusion.

But while the reasons for one of the most senior government minister's walk-out are still being debated, the question remains about who will step into his shoes.

No names have yet been put forward by No 10 but an announcement is expected to take place later.

Meanwhile, here are some runners-up, who could fill the hole in the Cabinet.

Matthew Hancock

An EU-loyalist and George Osborne's own protege, Mr Hancock has already been mentioned as a potential replacement for IDS in the next Cabinet reshuffle following the June referendum.

But the appointment of the MP for West Sussex could annoy some Tory rebels, campaigning for a Brexit.

Tory MP Matthew Hancock has accepted the report’s proposals (Getty)

Priti Patel

The employment minister and IDS's number two at the Department of Work and Pensions is briefed about the job and would be a logical choice to continue the work the department has carried out.

Elected for the seat of Witham, Essex, in 2010, she is regarded as being on the party's right-wing, and Mr cameron may hesitate to appoint her after her open campaigning for a Brexit.

Priti Patel is part of the campaign group to leave the EU (PA)

Stephen Crabb,

The Secretary of State for Wales has been an MP since 2005.

A government whip in the coalition government, he is trusted to toe the government line. However, with Welsh Assembly elections taking place in May, it would be an odd time for him to move on.

Stephen Crabb has been appointed the new Minister for Work and Pensions (Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Robert Halfon

The Minister without Portfolio, who attends Cabinet meetings, could be given a chance to head a department.

Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, Mr Halfon is ambitious but was also embroiled in in sex scandal after his affair with the party's youth wing was revealed last November.

Robert Halfon is allegedly linked with a Ukrainian arrested in Vienna (Rex Features)

Anna Soubry

The Minister for Small Business since 2015, Anna Soubry attends Cabinet meetings.

The former journalist has previously served as an undersecretary for public health and was once reminded by the Speaker of the House of Commons she was not the Government's spokeswoman after she heckled the opposition.

Anna Soubry, Minister for Welfare, Personnel and Veterans at the Ministry of Defence (Getty Images)

Chris Grayling

Like IDS ,the Leader of the House of Commons and former Secretary of State for Justice, is a strong advocate for Britain to leave the EU, so appointing him would keep Brexit supporters quiet. However, an open rebel against Mr Cameron's pro-EU campaign could make him an unlikely choice.

Several of Chris Grayling’s reforms are being reviewed by his successor (Getty Images Europe)

Jane Ellison

Under secretary of state for public health, the Battersea MP was elected in 2010 - maybe a new face in the Cabinet.

Health minister Jane Ellison speaking to the Commons on Tuesday (PA)

A decision is expected later today.