Conservative MP Sarah Newton has been appointed Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work.

She replaces Penny Mordaunt, who was promoted to the cabinet post of Secretary of State for International Development after Priti Patel’s fall from grace. Newton, a former marketing executive, now has a brief that includes: Cross-government disability issues; work and health strategy, including sponsorship of the Joint Work and Health Unit; disability employment, including Disability Confident, Work Choice, Access to Work, the Work and Health Programme and mental health in the workplace; support for those at risk of falling out of work, including occupational health and Statutory Sick Pay; and financial support for sick and disabled claimants. She is also charged with oversight of the workplace safety regulators the Health and Safety Executive and the Office for Nuclear Regulation.