Skidmore sacked from universities and science post in reshuffle

Chris Skidmore, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, has been sacked from his post as Boris Johnson reshuffles his ministerial team.

Mr Skidmore announced 바카라사이트 news by pictures of his baby daughter: ¡°Got a promotion in 바카라사이트 #reshuffle to be a better dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one¡­Thanks everyone who I¡¯ve had 바카라사이트 chance to work with and 바카라사이트 civil service teams that have supported me ¨C you have all been amazing.¡±

The Kingswood MP had two spells in 바카라사이트 junior ministerial post, interrupted by 바카라사이트 short-lived return of Jo?Johnson to 바카라사이트 brief. The first was between December 2018 and July 2019; 바카라사이트 second from September 2019 until today.

Also sacked in 바카라사이트 reshuffle was Andrea Leadsom, 바카라사이트 secretary of state in 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which is responsible for research funding.

Mr Skidmore was regarded as having played a key role in opposing moves by 바카라사이트 Augar review ¨C at one stage expected to figure in its final report to government ¨C to in effect cap 바카라사이트 number of students entering higher education by ending loan access for applicants with lower grades.

He was also an opponent of 바카라사이트 Augar review¡¯s plans to cut 바카라사이트 tuition fee cap for English universities, which many in 바카라사이트 sector fear could lead to a reduction in university funding. With 바카라사이트 government yet to respond to 바카라사이트 review, his exit could prove significant in 바카라사이트 formation of that response.

Mr Skidmore, who backed remain in 바카라사이트 European Union referendum, would also have played a key role in talks with 바카라사이트 EU on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 UK will join 바카라사이트 bloc¡¯s next research programme, Horizon Europe, as an associated country.

The science brief, in particular, is a key one for 바카라사이트 new government, which has pledged to double research investment. Dominic Cummings, 바카라사이트 prime minister¡¯s most senior adviser, regards science as a priority in shaping a post-Brexit economy and is a key influence on government science policy.

john.morgan@ws-2000.com