Mr Double comes into the department in the wake of the departure of two House of Commons under secretaries – often known as junior ministers – last week. The pair included recycling junior minister Jo Churchill and environment junior minister Rebecca Pow (see letsrecycle.com).
Previously an assistant government whip, Mr Double has also worked in the Department for Health and has been involved in tackling marine litter.
While there has not yet been an official announcement about his responsibilities within the department, it is expected that Mr Double could get involved in recycling and environmental topics in a short-term capacity until a new cabinet is appointed when Boris Johnson steps down in the autumn.
A spokesperson for Defra told letsrecycle.com that Mr Double’s responsibilities would be finalised “in due course”.
Leadership contest
In a statement posted following his appointment, Mr Double said he was looking forward to working with the Defra ministerial team and officials during the coming months, “for the benefit of the UK and for Cornwall.”
The apparatus of Government needs to continue to run
– Steve Double, junior minister at Defra
“The Prime Minster will remain in post until the leadership contest within the Conservative Party to decide his successor concludes in the autumn,” Mr Double said.
He continued: “In the meantime, the apparatus of Government needs to continue to run, and the expectation is the new leader will be appointed soon after the summer. I am honoured to accept the offer to serve, and ensure the continued smooth running of this important department.”
Mr Double had previously tweeted following the Prime Minister’s resignation on 7 July that he was “willing” to continue to serve in the whip’s office “to ensure parliament could continue to function”, but “would not be prepared to accept any other position”.
St Austell
Born and raised in St Austell, Mr Double worked for a bank, a church and a charity before becoming an MP, he says on his website.
Mr Double was first elected in 2015 and previously worked as parliamentary private secretary for the Department for Health and Social Care, a role he assumed in August 2019.
From February 2020 to September 2021, he served as parliamentary private secretary to the health secretary, Matt Hancock, as the country first began responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Double previously chaired the all-party parliamentary group for ocean conservation until December 2021, working with Cornish charity Surfers Against Sewage to “lead the fight” against marine litter.
My statement on my appointment as a @DefraGovUK Minister #StAustell #Newquay #Cornwall pic.twitter.com/STn72y2SbU
— Steve Double MP (@stevedouble) July 8, 2022
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