Beverley Hughes has replaced Margaret Hodge as minister for children it emerged yesterday as Tony Blair unveiled his re-shuffled ministerial team, writes Clare Jerrom.

Hodge has moved to the Department for Work and Pensions as minister of state for work while Stephen Timms becomes minister of state for pensions.

Lord Hunt, who left the government over the Iraq war, rejoined as parliamentary secretary in the work and pensions department.

Former health minister Stephen Ladyman has moved to the Department of Transport to become minister of state and Ladyman will be replaced by Liam Byrne as parliamentary under secretary in the DH with responsibility for social care. He was elected into parliament last year.