Rishi Sunak plotting ‘100 day reshuffle’ and splitting Business Department into THREE
RISHI Sunak was tonight plotting a major reshuffle — and even breaking up the Business department into three new Cabinet jobs.
A new party chairman will be unveiled following the sacking of Nadhim Zahawi last week.
And there are questions over the future of Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab.
The PM has been forced to tweak his team after axing Mr Zahawi over his tax affairs controversy.
Insiders say Mr Sunak will likely use the opportunity for a sweeping Whitehall shake-up.
It could see a standalone Energy department, with Business and Trade merged and a new Science and Digital unit.
Culture and Sport — currently joined with Digital — would be left as a separate department, with major implications for the make-up of the Cabinet.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps was being tipped by senior Tories to be party chairman, but others said he was likely to stay in a big ministerial job.
A source said: “The focus is making government work better but in reality it leaves senior ministers looking over their shoulders.
"And it leaves a question over the future of Dominic Raab, who faces a bullying inquiry.”
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But a merging of Business and Trade would trigger speculation over the future of International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, a former leadership contender.
One source said: “These changes will put a lot of noses out of joint. There will be winners and losers with some very upset egos.
"Where does Kemi fit in?”
Downing Street declined to comment last night.