Energy minister Graham Stuart quits government

Energy minister Graham Stuart has stood down from government.

The Beverley and Holderness MP said he wanted to focus on local issues after serving in various ministerial posts.

Mr Stuart said the prime minister had his full support - but his departure leaves Mr Sunak with another ministerial hole to plug.

He attended Cabinet under Liz Truss in the same role, and previously served as Europe minister and as a trade minister.

"I'm proud to have served in the Government for most of the past eight years, but now it's time to focus on Beverley and Holderness," Mr Stuart said.

He added that he wanted to concentrate on issues such as making roads safer, broadband delivery, improving access to dentistry and healthcare, working with farmers on flooding, and increasing the number of defibrillators in his constituency.

Mr Stuart listed his achievements since first being elected to Parliament in 2005 as including helping to install rock armour to protect the coastline at Withernsea, saving East Riding Community Hospital, introducing life-saving defibrillators in rural communities, and cutting fares on the Humber Bridge.