It is not yet known whether he will continue as environment minister with responsibility for waste and recycling, but the spokesman said there was likely to be announcement soon.
He said: “The secretary of state for the environment, Margaret Beckett, will be discussing this matter with her colleagues. She is in Luxembourg at the moment, but we are expecting to hear later today.”
The department will see two new ministers joining the fold. Jim Knight, the MP for South Dorset will be coming to the department, along with Lord Bach, ex ministry of defence parliamentary secretary.
Lord Bach will replace Lord Whitty as parliamentary secretary for the lords at Defra.
Jim Knight fills a vacant slot created by the departure of the former minister for rural affairs Alun Michael. Mr Michael has joined the new look Department of Trade and Industry – the DPEI – the Department for Productivity, Energy and Industry.
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