Rishi Sunak's full Cabinet as return of Suella Braverman splits opinion


Neil Murphy
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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sought to build a Cabinet of 'all the talents' in attempt restore credibility in government.

The former chancellor said the Conservative Party, which has been heavily divided over Brexit and the economy in recent years, must “unite or die” in a speech to his MPs on Monday.

Unlike previous prime ministers who filled their Cabinets with key allies, Mr Sunak retained much of the Cabinet he inherited from Liz Truss and returned some Boris Johnson appointees to their posts.

Perhaps his most eye-catching move was to restore Suella Braverman to the role of home secretary, less than a week after she was sacked from the job for a security breach.

Chancellor of the exchequer

Jeremy Hunt walks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 25, 2022. REUTERS / Henry Nicholls
Jeremy Hunt walks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, October 25, 2022. REUTERS / Henry Nicholls

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who was brought in to steady Ms Truss’s ailing government and has been working towards a highly-anticipated Halloween fiscal statement, was selected to keep the keys to No 11 to try to stabilise the jittery markets.

In a post on Twitter, he said: “Honoured to serve our country, and @RishiSunak, as Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is going to be tough.

“But protecting the vulnerable — and people’s jobs, mortgages and bills — will be at the front of our minds as we work to restore stability, confidence and long-term growth.”

Foreign secretary

James Cleverly leaves after a meeting with Britain's newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. AFP
James Cleverly leaves after a meeting with Britain's newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. AFP

James Cleverly was kept on as Foreign Secretary signalling Mr Sunak was not entirely breaking with the past two administrations.

On his reappointment, Mr Cleverly said he would continue to support the UK’s allies around the world “especially standing with Ukraine”.

Defence secretary

Ben Wallace arrives for a cabinet meeting. AP
Ben Wallace arrives for a cabinet meeting. AP

Ben Wallace has been asked to keep his defence brief, given the continuing conflict in Ukraine demands continuity and stability.

Reports suggest Boris Johnson could be given a role as an envoy in Washington to shore up support for Ukraine.

Deputy prime minister

Long-time backer Dominic Raab has been chosen to be the Justice Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister, a position that he held less than two months ago before being sacked by Ms Truss.

Home secretary

Suella Braverman has been appointed Home Secretary less than a week after she was dropped from Liz Truss’s government over a breach of the ministerial code.

Ms Braverman was asked to resign for mishandling an official document and left with a parting shot that the government was failing its manifesto pledges on immigration.

Her return only six days later was condemned by opposition MPs, who said it breached Mr Sunak's promise at the door of Downing Street to restore trust and integrity.

"The shine came off Sunak pretty quickly," said Labour MP Steve Reed.

Chief whip

Simon Hart was brought in as Chief Whip to restore party discipline.

He takes over from Wendy Morton following the confusion over a fracking vote in the Commons last Wednesday.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Oliver Dowden, who resigned as party chairman after a disastrous double by-election loss under Mr Johnson, was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Cabinet Office.

Conservative Party chairman

Nadhim Zahawi initially announced he would be backing Mr Johnson to return as PM, before switching allegiance to Mr Sunak on the same day after the former leader said he would not be entering the contest.

The former chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said in a Twitter post: “A day is a long time in politics …”

Business secretary

Grant Shapps has been appointed Business Secretary. He had briefly been Home Secretary under Liz Truss.

Leader of the House of Commons

Penny Mordaunt, Mr Sunak's competitor for the top job, remains in the post.

  • Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street. Reuters
    Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street. Reuters
  • King Charles III invites Mr Sunak to become prime minister and form a new government in an audience at Buckingham Palace. PA
    King Charles III invites Mr Sunak to become prime minister and form a new government in an audience at Buckingham Palace. PA
  • Mr Sunak promised to bring stability amid what he called a “profound economic crisis”. PA
    Mr Sunak promised to bring stability amid what he called a “profound economic crisis”. PA
  • The new prime minister is applauded as he enters Number 10. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
    The new prime minister is applauded as he enters Number 10. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
  • Mr Sunak is greeted by Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Simon Case as he enters 10 Downing Street. AFP
    Mr Sunak is greeted by Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Simon Case as he enters 10 Downing Street. AFP
  • A worker loads a removal van with boxes outside 10 Downing Street. Reuters
    A worker loads a removal van with boxes outside 10 Downing Street. Reuters
  • Members of the public wait for the arrival of Mr Sunak near Downing Street. AP
    Members of the public wait for the arrival of Mr Sunak near Downing Street. AP
  • Staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office watch from the windows as Mr Sunak arrives in Downing Street. PA
    Staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office watch from the windows as Mr Sunak arrives in Downing Street. PA
  • An Indian artist in Mumbai creates a painting to congratulate Mr Sunak on becoming prime minister. EPA
    An Indian artist in Mumbai creates a painting to congratulate Mr Sunak on becoming prime minister. EPA
  • Mr Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace. PA
    Mr Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace. PA
  • Incoming prime minister Rishi Sunak arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with a wave. AFP
    Incoming prime minister Rishi Sunak arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with a wave. AFP
  • Rishi Sunak is greeted by colleagues upon his arrival. AFP
    Rishi Sunak is greeted by colleagues upon his arrival. AFP
  • Conservative MPs applaud as Rishi Sunak arrives. Reuters
    Conservative MPs applaud as Rishi Sunak arrives. Reuters
  • Rishi Sunak departs after making a statement inside the Conservative Party's headquarters. PA
    Rishi Sunak departs after making a statement inside the Conservative Party's headquarters. PA
  • Mr Sunak meets the 1922 Committee in Parliament after he was announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party when Penny Mordaunt dropped out. PA
    Mr Sunak meets the 1922 Committee in Parliament after he was announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party when Penny Mordaunt dropped out. PA
  • Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announces Mr Sunak as the new leader of the Conservatives and therefore the prime minister. PA
    Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announces Mr Sunak as the new leader of the Conservatives and therefore the prime minister. PA
  • Members of the media work outside No 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Britain's prime minister, in central London, as they await announcements. AFP
    Members of the media work outside No 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Britain's prime minister, in central London, as they await announcements. AFP
  • Mr Sunak leaves his campaign office in London. AP
    Mr Sunak leaves his campaign office in London. AP
  • A billboard of Liz Truss, the departing prime minister, in London. Bloomberg
    A billboard of Liz Truss, the departing prime minister, in London. Bloomberg
  • Members of the public look through the gates into Downing Street. Reuters
    Members of the public look through the gates into Downing Street. Reuters
  • Mr Sunak leaves his home in London on Monday morning. AFP
    Mr Sunak leaves his home in London on Monday morning. AFP
  • Leader of the House of Commons and Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt speaks to the media on Sunday. Ms Mordaunt pulled out of the race moments before the deadline for nominations. PA
    Leader of the House of Commons and Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt speaks to the media on Sunday. Ms Mordaunt pulled out of the race moments before the deadline for nominations. PA

Education Secretary

Gillian Keegan has been appointed Education Secretary.

Works and Pensions Secretary

Mel Stride, an ally of Mr Sunak in the leadership contest, has been appointed Works and Pensions Secretary.

Health Secretary

Steve Barclay has been appointed Health Secretary.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Therese Coffey has been appointed as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Levelling Up Secretary

Michael Gove returns to the Cabinet after being sacked by Boris Johnson in July.

International Trade Secretary

Kemi Badenoch returns as International Trade Secretary. She entered the first leadership contest to replace Mr Johnson but did not throw her name in this time around.

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary

Michelle Donelan has been reappointed as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Northern Ireland Secretary

Chris Heaton-Harris has been re-appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary.

Scotland Secretary

Alister Jack has been re-appointed as Secretary of State for Scotland.

Wales Secretary

David TC Davies is the new Secretary of State for Wales.

Leader of the House of Lords

Lord True has been re-appointed Lord Privy Seal, and Leader of the House of Lords.

Transport Secretary

Mark Harper has been appointed Transport Secretary.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister

Johnny Mercer will return to the role of Veterans’ Affairs Minister.

Minister for Development in the Foreign Office

Andrew Mitchell has been appointed as Minister for Development in the Foreign Office.

Immigration Minister

Robert Jenrick has been appointed Immigration Minister and will attend Cabinet.

Security Minister

Tom Tugendhat has been re-appointed as Security Minister and will attend Cabinet.

Attorney General

Victoria Prentis has been appointed as Attorney General.

Minister without portfolio

Sir Gavin Williamson returns to government as a minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.

If you go

The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.


The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.


The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.

The five new places of worship

Church of South Indian Parish

St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch

St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch

St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais

Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais

 

Ipaf in numbers

Established: 2008

Prize money:  $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.

Winning novels: 13

Shortlisted novels: 66

Longlisted novels: 111

Total number of novels submitted: 1,780

Novels translated internationally: 66

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CHELSEA SQUAD

Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile

Company name: Jaib

Started: January 2018

Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour

Based: Jordan

Sector: FinTech

Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018

Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421,  Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day. 

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

Updated: October 26, 2022, 8:19 AM