Cabinet reshuffle - as it happened: Theresa May's attempt at show of strength ruined by ministers refusing to be moved
How the Prime Minister's New Year's reshuffle happened
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Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May’s attempts to reassert her authority through a Cabinet reshuffle ran into difficulties after senior ministers refused to move from their jobs.
Education Secretary Justine Greening dramatically quit the Government when Ms May tried to move her to the Department of Work and Pensions, leaving the Prime Minister scrambling to promote junior ministers to her top team.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also spent more than 90 minutes in Downing Street where he resisted Ms May's attempts to persuade him to switch to Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and allow Business Secretary Greg Clark to take on his role.
Cabinet “big beasts” such as Boris Johnson, Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd all kept their jobs, which led to critics quoting the PM's widely mocked election campaign claim that "nothing has changed" - when she made a major U-turn on a social care pledge.
Earlier, the shake-up descended into chaos when the Conservatives’ official Twitter account accidentally put out that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling would become party chairman – before Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis was officially appointed shortly after.
Former Justice Secretary David Lidington was appointed to replace the PM's close ally Damian Green, who was sacked as the Cabinet Office minister and de facto Prime Minister last month for misleading statements over pornography found on his office computer.
A younger and more diverse team of MPs was appointed to hold various Conservative party posts, although the appointment of pro-life MP Maria Caulfield to a prominent women's role attracted controversy.
Please see the live updates below
Details are starting to emerge about what went on behind the scenes in Number 10 today, as the reshuffle has run on later than expected.
One of the stumbling blocks seems to have been Jeremy Hunt, who reportedly refused the offer to become the Business Secretary. Theresa May is believed to have planned a straight swap between Mr Hunt and Business Secretary Greg Clark - but Mr Hunt said no.
FT political editor tweets:
The other hitch for the PM has been Justine Greening, who is reportedly resisting efforts to move her from Education to the Department of Work and Pensions.
DWP minister Damian Hinds is also inside Downing Street, suggesting their futures could be linked.
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park remains in her post as Leader of the House of Lords.
Which positions are still left to be announced?
Education Secretary - currently Justine Greening
Work and Pensions Secretary - unfilled, after David Gauke moved to Ministry of Justice
Welsh Secretary - currently Alun Cairns
Scottish Secretary - currently David Mundell
Leader of the Commons - currently Andrea Leadsom
Also attending Cabinet:
Attorney General - currently Jeremy Wright
Chief Secretary to the Treasury - currently Liz Truss
Chief Whip - currently Julian Lewis
Matthew Hancock's appointment to the post of Culture Secretary has prompted Twitter users to dig out footage of him singing karaoke.
Mr Hancock is also known for his love of grime music.
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