The news means that Mr Benn, who has been in the role since June 2007, is expected to keep his engagement as the keynote speaker for the Futuresource conference and exhibition next week (June 9), which was thrown into doubt earlier this week (see letsrecycle.com story).
Universities Secretary John Denham has been moved to the role of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, giving him jurisdiction over areas such as large planning proposals in place of Hazel Blears, who has quit.
A Defra spokeswoman confirmed: “Early media reports are correct. Hilary Benn is to remain in his current role”.
Steve Lee, Chief Executive if CIWM, which is organising Futuresource with the Environmental Services Association, said: “CIWM is very pleased that Hilary Benn has remained in post. The environment is a clear priority and ministerial continuity is important as our industry moves forward. We are also, of course, delighted that we will be welcoming him as our keynote speaker on the opening day of the new Futuresource conference and exhibition 2009 next Tuesday.”
The reshuffle comes after a string of MPs quit the cabinet and pressure piled on Gordon Brown to step down and call an election.
Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield and secretary of the Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group – which links the waste sector with parliamentarians – is among those to have questioned the premier's leadership and has called for a ballot of MPs.
There remains speculation over whether or not Jane Kennedy may be moved from her post as waste and recycling minister if Gordon Brown carries out significant changes to the lower ministerial tiers, however, experts claim that she could remain in the post because she has only held it since October 2008.
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