Baroness Vadera leaves role as small business minister

Baroness Vadera leaves role as small business ministerBaroness Vadera will be leaving her position as small business minister, due to a reshuffle within the Department for Business.

It was announced last Thursday that former banker Lord Mervyn Davies will replace Vadera, who will be taking up a new role as advisor for the G20 group of nations.

Working as minister for Economic Competitiveness, Small Business and Enterprise she had been one of Brown’s closest allies and central to his economic planning during the downturn.

Commenting on her departure, business secretary Lord Mandelson said: “Shriti has made a tremendous contribution to the Department for Business. She has worked tirelessly to ensure businesses, especially small businesses, are supported through the recession and emerge stronger at the other side.

“I know Mervyn Davies is looking forward to taking on her departmental responsibilities. He will do a great job for small business.”

Brown denied that the timing of her departure, which comes on the eve of Labour’s party conference, was significant.

“I came to her and said, ‘This is the job for you’,” said Brown.

Vadera will co-ordinate the hand-over from Britain to South Korea, next year’s president of the G20. She will work unpaid and will continue to have a desk in the Cabinet Office.

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