Last night David Cameron, new leader of the Conservative Party, promoted David Ruffley to become the Shadow Minister for Welfare Reform in the Shadow Team for Work and Pensions.

On his appointment David Ruffley said:

'I am delighted at this promotion. Under David Cameron's leadership there is a real feeling that the Conservative Party can make a difference to the quality of life in this country. Welfare reform will be a key part of coming up with solutions to the problems that modern Britain faces. It is a great responsibility to take on this job of welfare reform and to ensure that it is consistent with the principles of compassionate conservatism that David Cameron has so persuasively set out.'

Notes to editors

David Ruffley has been a senior member of the House of Commons leading select committee- the Treasury Select Committee- since 1998. Under Michael Howard's leadership he served for 18 months as the Treasury Whip on the front bench. His appointment as Shadow Minister for Welfare Reform is a major promotion into David Cameron's shadow front bench team.