Amber Rudd is to replace Ed Davey as the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change as Prime Minister David Cameron continues to reshuffle his cabinet this morning.

The position is a promotion for Rudd, the former climate change minister, and her appointment comes despite reports yesterday evening that suggested minister of state for climate change Matthew Hancock was to be handed the role.

Cameron has yet to confirm if Hancock is to keep his role at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) or be shuffled elsewhere, with appointments continuing to be announced following last week’s shock majority win for the Conservatives.

Rudd’s predecessor Ed Davey was one of 49 Liberal Democrat MPs to lose their seat during the election, leaving the party with just eight MPs as the Conservatives swept to a majority of 331 seats, trumping Labour’s 232.

Rudd’s appointment does however act as confirmation that DECC is to be maintained, following suggestions that it could be scrapped if the Conservatives won a majority.

The Independent yesterday reported that the Conservatives had been considering abolishing the department and sharing its duties between other departments, suggesting its climate change remit could be handed over to the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs – Liz Truss’ department. 
 

Twitter reaction to Amber Rudd's appointment 

David Cameron's decision to appoint Amber Rudd as energy secretary has been largely welcomed by the industry: