Other appointments given warmer welcome

The rest of the reshuffle has been better received. The appointment of Phil Hope as minister for building regulations has been welcomed due to his experience with respected former construction minister Nick Raynsford.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has taken on a new housing and planning minister in Keith Hill. The appointment forms part of Whitehall's attempt to solve the housing crisis.

Under secretary Tony McNulty's appointment to the Department for Transport means the department will be given more resources to roll out future infrastructure schemes. However, there is disappointment that transport minister John Spellar, who had built strong relations with the industry, has been replaced by Kim Howells.

Nick Brown's decision to quit his role as minister of state for work and pensions was a surprise.