A minor post-election cabinet reshuffle – prompted by the loss of some MPs and resignations – saw Transport Secretary Chris Grayling keep his job.
Michael Gove, who has returned to the Cabinet as environment secretary replacing Andrea Leadsom, is left holding the politically hot potato of air pollution.
Mr Gove, who left the Cabinet last year after his failed bid for the Conservative Party leadership, will have to tackle the issue of air quality
Before the election the Government was forced by the High Court to publish a draft national plan to tackle vehicle pollution.
Instead of the expected additional Clean Air Zones (CAZs) and congestion charging, a watered-down plan was published.
As a result, ClientEarth which brought the High Court case, has already returned to the courts to challenge the new draft plan, even though the consultation does not conclude until Thursday (15 June).
DEFRA says it is preparing its final plan for publication by 31 July “in line with the timetable directed by the Courts.”
