Darling takes control of transport

Tony Blair carried out a surprisingly wide-ranging ministerial reshuffle yesterday in an attempt to tackle the problems that have dogged the Government since last year's general election.

The Prime Minister used the departure of Stephen Byers as an opportunity to revamp the Government, making sweeping changes among its junior ranks in the hope of improving its overall performance. Seven other ministers lost their jobs.

Alistair Darling, the Work and Pensions Secretary, took over a slimmed-down Transport Department from Mr Byers. He will have a bulging in-tray, including congestion on the roads and problems with the railways and air traffic control.

Mr Darling, who will revise the Government's much-criticised 10-year transport plan in July, signalled his intention not to be seen as "anti-motorist". He said he wanted a "balanced strategy" that recognised "people want to use their cars" but which would improve public transport.

The minister's old job went to Andrew Smith, another safe and experienced pair of hands. Mr Smith was succeeded as Chief Treasury Secretary by Paul Boateng, who becomes the first black British Cabinet member. Mr Boateng, who will complete a wholesale review of government spending by July, said: "My colour is part of me, but I don't choose to be defined by my colour. I work for a world in which people are judged not by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character."

Some Labour MPs saw the reshuffle as a boost for Gordon Brown because Mr Darling and Mr Smith are his allies. But Mr Blair also gave fast-track promotions to young Blairites such as David Miliband, who becomes Schools Standards minister, and David Lammy, Britain's youngest MP at 29, who becomes a junior Health minister.

In a surprise move, Mr Blair agreed a wide-ranging shake-up with David Blunkett in his Home Office team, where four of the six ministerial posts change hands. Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the QC and friend of Mr Blair, will take responsibility for criminal justice to remove some of the pressure from Mr Blunkett.

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, loses his role as co-ordinator and progress chaser but takes on policy responsibilities including local govern- ment, the regions, housing, planning, urban renewal and social inclusion.

Downing Street denied Mr Prescott's position had been downgraded. He has been frustrated in his behind-the-scenes role at the Cabinet Office and will now head a separate Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The changes at the heart of the Whitehall machine are a further step towards presidential-style government. The Cabinet Office, headed by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston, will work more closely with Downing Street.

The desire for a fresh start at the Department of Transport resulted in Sir Richard Mottram, the permanent secretary, moving to the Department of Work and Pensions. Mr Darling insisted on taking his top civil servant, Rachel Lomax, to Transport.

The scale of the reshuffle suggested Mr Blair had been aware of Mr Byers' intention to resign before the two men met on Monday. The Prime Minister had originally planned to change his Government in July. Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "The structure of Government evolves as time goes on. Now we have the strategic vision [on transport] that will require specific focus, that is why it makes sense to set up the single Transport department." On the Home Office changes, he said: "You have to make way for others so that they can make an impact as well. That is a hard political fact."