You are in > manchester.com  > News > Hyde MP accepts top government job

General Manchester news

Hyde MP accepts top government job

25/01/2008

Stalybridge and Hyde MP James Purnell is the new secretary of state for work and pensions following Peter Hain's resignation.

The prime minister conducted a cabinet reshuffle after it was announced that the Electoral Commission has asked the police to investigate donations to Mr Hain.

Mr Purnell, who won the Manchester seat in the 2001 election before going on to become parliamentary private secretary to Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly, said his priority is to make people more self-reliant.

"Welfare reform is a key part of any new Labour government. It's key to aspiration. It's key to tackling poverty," he told the BBC.

"And my priority is to give everyone the chance to be self reliant in old age, to make the right to work a reality, but also for everybody who can work, to make sure that they all know that they have a responsibility to work."

Last year, Mr Purnell became the secretary of state for culture at a time when plans to build a supercasino in east Manchester were effectively shelved by the prime minister.

Meanwhile, Leigh MP Andy Burnham has been named as Mr Purnell's successor at the culture department.