GAVIN WILLIAMSON has been appointed to the role of Minister Without Portfolio under Rishi Sunak.
The position allows ministers to take part in meetings of the Government at Downing Street without having a specific department of state to oversee – but what exactly is the position for?
A Minister Without Portfolio is a Government minister who holds no specific responsibilities.
They can also be a minister who does not lead a ministry or department of state.
It is more common in countries whose governments are enforced coalitions, but in the UK it is a position that is used to bring in senior politicians to Cabinet meetings.