NORTH Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has been promoted – to the government job vacated by Tory Brexit rebel Sarah Newton last month.

Mr Tomlinson takes the job of minister of state for disabled people, health and work.

It is a return to the role for the 42-year-old MP, who previously served as parliamentary under secretary of state for disabled people from May 2015 to July 2016. As minister, he was forced to defend government plans to cut disability benefits as part of a plan to save £1.3bn.

He was dropped from the government after Theresa May became prime minister in July 2016, before being brought back into Whitehall last year as parliamentary under secretary with responsibility for family benefits.

He tweeted on Thursday night: “Very proud to have been asked to become the DWP Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work.

“This area has been a key focus for me and I look forward to continuing to work with charities, stakeholders and those helping to make a real difference in such a vital area.”

He later told the Advertiser: "It is a great honour to have been asked to step up to this new role. 

"I have a strong relationship with the key charities and stakeholders in this vital area and we will continue to promote opportunities and break down barriers. 

"I am proud that we have helped 930,000 more disabled people into work in the last five years and that we have increased to spending to support those with disabilities and long-term health conditions by £10bn to a record £55bn per year."