North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has returned to government.

The MP was appointed to the post of Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero at the Department of the same name by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

He is the second most senior politician at the department behind the cabinet member Claire Coutinho who is the Secretary of State.

It marks the fourth stint as a minister for Mr Tomlinson, who had two spells as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions and was the Minister of State at the DWP for disabled people, work and health for two and a half years until September 2021.

He was then appointed by the then Prime Minister Bortis Johnson as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative party but left that post in n2022 to campaign for Kemi Badenoch to be leader in 2022.

Back in office and tackling his ministerial red boxes, Mr Tomlinson said: “The UK is the first major economy to have halved our emissions, and I will be focused on ensuring we continue to lead the world in our progress towards net zero.

“A major element of this is decarbonising the grid, and my first priority will be to build on the excellent progress so far, which has enabled an increase in renewables generation from seven percent in 2010 to nearly half.

“I will also be working to deliver an energy system fit for the future, working in partnership with industry and communities to deliver faster connections, resilient and reliable supply and unlocking investment so we can deliver the lowest cost energy for British consumers.

“And all this will be alongside securing the successful passage of the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill through Parliament, backing our North Sea oil and gas to boost our energy security.”

It remains to be seen how long Mr Tomlinson might remain in office. A general Election must take place by 28 January 2025, just over nine months away, with speculation growing over when The prime Minister might dissolve parliament and call an election.

The latest polls put Labour in a commanding lead, with most polling organisations suggesting that Mr Tomlinson has a significant battle to retain his seat which he first won in 2010, and has defended successfully in three subsequent elections.

Mr Tomlinson’s South Swindon counterpart Sir Robert Buckland has also had long spells in government, serving as both Justice Secretary and Welsh Secretary under Boris Johnson and as Welsh Secretary, under Liz Truss.