Stephen Crabb appointed work and pensions secretary after Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation over disability cuts
Stephen Crabb has been appointed as the new work and pensions secretary, after Iain Duncan Smith resigned yesterday over "indefensible" disability cuts.
Duncan Smith published an open letter of resignation on Friday evening, citing pressure to make further cuts to disability benefits as the reason for his departure.
In a letter responding to his resignation, David Cameron said he was "puzzled and disappointed" by the move, saying that further disability cuts had been "collectively agreed" by the Treasury, No 10 and Duncan Smith himself.
Before his appointment at the Department for Work and Pensions Crabb was the secretary of state for Wales, leading the Tories' successful Welsh campaign in the 2015 general election, and has been the Conservative MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire since 2005.
In an interview with the BBC, Crabb was "very sad" to see Iain Duncan Smith resign "in the circumstances in which he did". He added that despite being pleased to take on the role, the government will have "some very challenging decisions and issues to focus on".
Crabb has consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices and also against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability, according to TheyWorkForYou.com.
Alun Cairns will become the new Wales secretary, according to Downing Street, while Guto Bebb will become the new under-secretary of state at the Wales office and a government whip.