Andrew Lansley is expected to be named as Health Secretary as part of David Cameron’s historic new coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Lansley had held the shadow cabinet portfolio and was expected to move into the role after the Conservative prime minister declared there would be a “full and proper” coalition with Nick Clegg’s party.
Five Lib Dem ministers will serve in the new administration, with Mr Clegg appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. Danny Alexander is tipped to become Scottish Secretary and children’s spokesman. David Laws is also expected to join the Cabinet. Vince Cable and Chris Huhne are likely to receive Cabinet jobs, along with a number of Lib Dems receiving junior postings.
George Osborne has been named as Chancellor and William Hague as Foreign Secretary, while Liam Fox takes on the role of Defence Secretary.
On the central issue of reducing Britain’s record £163bn deficit, they will go ahead with the Tories’ proposed £6bn of spending cuts this year. The will also scrap the bulk of the planned increase in national insurance contributions for employers.
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