CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has been appointed to the Cabinet of new PM Rishi Sunak.

Mr Stride assumes the office of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, succeeding Chloe Smith who had been appointed by Liz Truss.

An MP since 2010, as well as a brief spell as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council in 2019, Mr Stride has many years’ experience working in the Treasury. Most recently being the chair of the Treasury Select Committee.

Mel said: ‘I am deeply honoured to serve in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet.

‘As Secretary of State for Work and Pensions there is a huge amount to do in the highest spending department in government.

‘A department that matters to millions.’