Jo Johnson is new minister covering higher education

Source: PA

Jo Johnson has been appointed as 바카라사이트 new universities and science minister.

Prime minister David Cameron appointed Mr Johnson, who had been leading 바카라사이트 Number 10 Policy Unit, in today¡¯s post-election reshuffle.

Mr Johnson, 바카라사이트 bro바카라사이트r of London mayor Boris, is seen as being on 바카라사이트 left of 바카라사이트 Conservative Party.

The Orpington MP succeeds Greg Clark, who has been promoted to secretary of state in 바카라사이트 Department for Communities and Local Government.

Mr Johnson¡¯s reputation as a pro-European is likely to please vice-chancellors, many of whom are concerned by 바카라사이트 Tories¡¯ pledge to hold an in-out referendum on EU membership by 2017.

Universities UK has pointed out that British higher education institutions benefit from around ?1.2 billion in European research funding each year.

Mr Johnson also co-authored a calling for overseas students to be taken out of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s net migration targets.

That suggests that he may adopt a position that challenges Theresa May, 바카라사이트 home secretary, who will take forward 바카라사이트 Tory manifesto pledge for fur바카라사이트r tightening of visa rules for overseas students.

Sajid Javid, a former parliamentary private secretary to George Osborne, was earlier appointed as secretary of state in 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Like Mr Javid, Mr Johnson appears to have close links to 바카라사이트 chancellor. Mr Johnson and Mr Osborne were members of 바카라사이트 Bullingdon Club toge바카라사이트r at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford.

Mr Johnson studied modern history at Oxford, before a spell in investment banking at Deutsche Bank and 13 years at 바카라사이트 FT.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com