British Prime Minister David Cameron has made sweeping changes to his cabinet.
British Prime Minister David Cameron Photo: AFP / file
With an eye on broadening his Conservative Party's appeal at next year's election, he has promoted more women into top jobs in the biggest ministerial shake-up of his premiership.
The number of women in cabinet has gone up from three to five, out of a total of 22 ministers in Mr Cameron's top team, the BBC reports.
The two women entering cabinet for the first time are Liz Truss who becomes the new Environment Minister and Nicky Morgan who takes over from Michael Gove as Education Minister.
Mr Gove, who has been made chief whip, has been one of the most radical and at times controversial figures in Mr Cameron's government. He drove through far-reaching changes to the education system such as free schools, exam changes and the extension of the academy programme.
William Hague, who is leaving parliament at the election, has been replaced as Foreign Secretary by the current Defence Minister Philip Hammond.
Mr Cameron said he was proud to lead "a fresh team with the idea, the energy and the ability to take this country forward".
