Mr Ainsworth, 48, (pictured) has been a government whip since 1997 and becomes an Under Secretary of State 
at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Environmental issues
He lists environmental issues as among his interests and was formerly a sheet metalworker at Jaguar and has been a councillor on Coventry City Council.
The departure of Mr Mullin is not expected to be seen as any great loss in recycling and waste management circles. Some observers considered he had a lightweight role in the Department and that Mr Meacher should have had more support in many areas from his junior minister. Mr Mullin has moved to the Department for International Development.
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