And, in an address to the media at Number 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister David Cameron explained that there the government would be “passionate about building a strong, green economy”.
Dr Cable, 67, is the Member of Parliament for Twickenham and takes up the role in the department for business, innovation and skills (BIS), which was formed in June 2009 bringing together BERR and the department for innovation, universities and skills (see letsrecycle.com story).
Among the Liberal Democrats expected to be named in the cabinet, Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne is strongly touted to take the role of secretary for energy and climate change. And, some media outlets have suggested the role may amalgamate energy and environment into one brief.
Mr Huhne, who is Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, held the post of Liberal Democrat spokesman for food, environment and rural affairs between March 2006 and December 2007.
Whoever is handed the environment brief will be faced with striking a balance between the policies within both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative platforms on waste and recycling.
In their respective manifestoes, the two parties did both present plans to abolish the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) and also shared broadly similar ideals on encouraging retailers to cut packaging waste.
However, the Conservatives have remained strong advocates of providing incentives to residents to improve recycling, through schemes such as the American rewards-based scheme RecycleBank. And, the party has even hit out at Liberal Democrats' supposed ‘bin taxes' (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Liberal Democrats also outlined plans to allow councils to adopt “variable charging” for waste, which could see poor performers charged.
A Defra spokesman told letsrecycle.com that it was “too early” to determine when junior ministerial posts, such as that of minister for waste and recycling, would be appointed.
Pickles
In other appointments, Eric Pickles was also today named communities and local government secretary in the coalition cabinet, which could see the Member of Parliament for Brentwood and Ongar responsible for taking decisions on large-scale infrastructure plans subjected to a public inquiry.
Mr Pickles has been a vociferous commentator on waste and recycling and a long-time advocate of weekly waste collections. He has also remained a strong critic of the Waste & Resources Action Programme.
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