New sector ministers have voluntary sector background

Angela Smith is the new minister for the third sector following the reshuffle of government positions. She has the status of 'minister of state', rather than the lowlier 'parliamentary under secretary' as previously. Her background includes working as head of political and public relations at the League Against Cruel Sports and as a supporter of the RSPCA, and she is involved with a number of Essex organisation - Smith is MP for Basildon. Society Guardian item http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jun/09/angela-smith-charities-minister.

John Denham, who now heads the Department for Communities and Local Government and so oversees a number of relevant areas (such as housing, regeneration as well as councils), started off after student posts as a campaigner with Friends of the Earth (where your editor met him) and development organisations. More on DCLG ministerial posts at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news/article/new-ministerial-line-up-at-dclg-revealed/.

Some of the responsibilities of the new arrangements following the merger of Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills into what is now the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are not clearly defined at time of writing. The official explanation of the role of 'BIS' is at http://www.berr.gov.uk/aboutus/pressroom/page51711.html. Expect more details on ministerial portfolios on departmental web sites soon. The full list of ministers can be found on the Number 10 web site at http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19564.