Fylde MP Andrew Snowden appointed Shadow Work and Pensions Minister by Kemi Badenoch in Tory reshuffle

Fylde MP Andrew Snowden has been appointed the new Shadow Minister of State for Work and Pensions as part of a reshuffle of Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch’s top team.

Mr Snowden said the priority was to reduce the benefits bill and get people back into work, as he set out his response to his new role. "The mission Kemi has set is clear: Cut the benefits bill and get Britain working,” he said. “Even today Burnham said he was going to cut the benefits bill by spending more. Labour is now The Welfare Party.

“Ready to stuck get stuck in, and delivering the Conservative plan to get benefits spending under control, and get people back into work."

The appointment comes as Mrs Badenoch reshuffles her senior team ahead of Parliament’s return and the Conservative Party conference in October. Alex Burghart has been appointed deputy leader of the Conservative Party and will continue as shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and shadow Northern Ireland secretary.

Sir Mel Stride has been removed as shadow chancellor, with Andrew Griffith appointed to replace him. Claire Coutinho, who was previously shadow energy secretary, has replaced Mr Griffith as shadow business secretary. Ms Coutinho is currently on maternity leave, with former Conservative minister Julia Lopez covering the role until the new year.

Former shadow Scotland secretary Andrew Bowie has succeeded Ms Coutinho as shadow energy secretary. Dame Priti Patel has also left her position as shadow foreign secretary, with former minister Tom Tugendhat appointed as her replacement.

Sir James Cleverly announced on Saturday that he would stand down as shadow housing secretary to seek the Conservative candidacy for London mayor. Katie Lam, who was elected in 2024 and previously served as an opposition whip, has been promoted to replace him.

Two other Conservative MPs elected in 2024, Rebecca Paul and Harriet Cross, have been appointed shadow culture secretary and shadow Scotland secretary respectively. Stuart Andrew has left Mrs Badenoch’s top team as shadow health secretary and has been replaced by former minister Damian Hinds.

Joy Morrissey, a former opposition whip, has been appointed shadow minister for women and equalities. Other senior Conservative figures have retained their frontbench roles, including shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins, shadow transport secretary Richard Holden and Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake.