JACOB Rees-Mogg has been appointed as Energy Secretary in Liz Truss’s new Cabinet.
The former minister for Brexit opportunities has taken on the role from Kwasi Kwarteng, who has been promoted to Chancellor.
Rees-Mogg is one of the most high-profile members of the new Cabinet, having courted controversy since he first rose to promise as an eccentric backbencher, who consistently rebelled against David Cameron’s government.
His appointment means he will be responsible for the Government’s response to the energy crisis.
If the Government does not act, utility rates will increase by around 80% for the average household in October.
Plans are reportedly being drawn up by Truss’s team to freeze energy bills, though what this will look like has yet to be confirmed.
It has been speculated that support may come in the form of a loan to households, something critics have described as merely saddling people with debt they will need to repay.
The honourable member for the 18th century
A staunch Brexiteer, he was a key ally of Boris Johnson during his time as prime minister, staying loyal to the former leader to the last.
More recently, he courted controversy for his lax attitude towards official Covid rules, including crossing from one lockdown tier area to another to attend a Latin mass. A spokesperson said at the time this was to fulfil his “religious obligations” as a Catholic.
During his tenure as leader of the house, he attracted criticism for dismissing concerns that MPs should wear facemasks in the Commons. He said it was not necessary because members knew each other, something not specified as an exception in the rules at the time.
Rees-Mogg was forced into a rare apology in the run-up to the 2019 General Election, when he suggested that those who died in the Grenfell Tower tragedy could have been saved if they employed “common sense” and fled the building, contrary to the advice from the fire service.
It is thought he was kept out of the spotlight for the rest of the election campaign as a result.
