Harriet Harman takes over new Equalities Offi

Gordon Brown has created a new Government Equalities Office for the UK, which will be headed up by deputy leader of the labour party Harriet Harman.

The new prime minister revealed that the new office will be physically located in the Department for Work and Pensions and supported by staff from the department.

Ms Harman, leader of the House of Commons, will take a Cabinet post as secretary of state for equality, work and pensions minister, Barbara Follett will become minister for equality and Sir Leigh Lewis will become the accounting officer for the Equalities Office.

The Women and Equalities Unit, currently based in Communities and Local Government (CLG), will move to the new Equalities Office.

Harriet Harman has already been named as minister for women, work and pensions secretary Peter Hain is lead cabinet member for disability issues, Ann McGuire is minister for disabled people, communities and local government secretary Hazel Blears is lead cabinet member for race and faith issues and Baroness Upton of Upholland will cover the equalities agenda in the House of Lords.

A sub-committee of the Domestic Affairs Committee will bring together ministers from across government and will be chaired by minister for the cabinet office Ed Miliband.

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Date:01/08/2007 11:49:32