Victoria Prentis has new role in the department overseeing pensions and benefits

Banbury’s MP says she is honoured to have been appointed by the Prime Minister

Banbury’s MP has been given a new role in Prime Minister Liz Truss’ government. Yesterday Victoria Prentis was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Following her appointment Mrs Prentis said: “I am honoured to have been appointed Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions by the Prime Minister.

“We know we will face challenges this winter. Having chaired the cross-government taskforce for feeding the vulnerable during the pandemic, I saw first-hand the importance of targeted support.

“I look forward to working with the new Secretary of State, Chloe Smith, and colleagues across government to ensure that we deliver support to those who need it.”

The DWP administers the State Pension and working age benefits system.

Mrs Prentis had been a Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in Boris Johnson’s government.

She added: “It has been a great privilege to serve in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Farming and the environment will always be a major part of my life.

“I am very proud to have taken through the Agriculture Act & Fisheries Act, and to have launched the first ever Government Food Strategy. I am confident that our agricultural transition will put UK food security on a new sustainable footing.

“I’d like to thank my dedicated officials and colleagues at Defra for their support over the past two and a half years, and wish them well.”

A number of local councillors have tweeted their congratulations including Cherwell’s finance chief Adam Nell and his Conservative colleagues Nick Mawer and Ian Corkin.

Mrs Prentis has been the elected representative for Banbury since 2015. She said: “I am looking forward to continuing to serve my constituents in North Oxfordshire and getting to grips with my new brief at DWP in the weeks ahead.”