Theresa May has appointed Amber Rudd as the sixth work and pensions secretary since 2016.

The Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye replaces Esther McVey, who resigned in protest at the prime minister’s proposed Brexit deal.

Since Iain Duncan Smith left the role in March 2016, no-one has survived a year in the work and pensions post, whose responsibilities include workplace health, related benefits and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Rudd’s appointment marks her return to the Cabinet after she resigned in April this year from the post of home secretary after she ‘inadvertently misled’ MPs over targets for removing illegal immigrants.

Jon Trickett, Labour’s shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, expressed dismay at Rudd’s appointment. “After enforcing Theresa May’s hostile environment in the Home Office, Amber Rudd will now be in charge of the DWP’s hostile environment for disabled people and the poorest in society,” he said. “With Universal Credit in absolute shambles, appointing a disgraced former minister who was only recently forced to resign for her role in another scandal is a desperate choice by a weak prime minister.” Sarah Newton remains the DWP minister of state responsible for work and health, the HSE and industrial injuries and disease benefits.