MoD Ministers appointed
Arriving at the Department Minister for the Armed Forces, Penny Mordaunt MP (above), said: "I am delighted to have been appointed to the role of Minister of State for the Armed Forces and I am particularly proud to be the first woman to take up the role.
"As a Royal Navy reservist I am extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to work alongside the military who defend us with such dedication and professionalism.
"The UK’s Armed Forces have consistently proved their high readiness and ability to deploy with an impressive and vast array of capabilities both internationally and on the domestic stage. Over the last year alone they have been at the forefront of responding to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone; helping to tackle the barbaric scourge of ISIL in Iraq as well as successfully drawing down military operations in Afghanistan.
"I look forward to working with my military and civilian colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to meet the challenges that lie ahead."
On his return to the Department, Mr Fallon (right) said: “It is an honour and a privilege to have been reappointed to the role of Secretary of State for Defence.
“Defending the realm is the first responsibility of government and I will continue working to help keep this country safe and ensure that the UK’s military capabilities remain recognised as world beating.
“From tackling the brutality of ISIL in Iraq to assisting with efforts to eradicate Ebola in Sierra Leone, the brave men and women of our Armed Forces approach all they do with professionalism, tenacity and flexibility.
“I am proud of what we achieved in the last administration. Through streamlining the department and balancing the defence budget, our reforms have ensured we now have the money, kit and a future force of regulars and reserves to continue responding to the threats we face.
“During my time as Defence Secretary, I have seen first hand how we depend on the military in so many ways. I am therefore delighted to be given the opportunity to continue working with them, alongside their civilian counterparts, to ensure our Armed Forces and the MOD are properly supported and ready for the challenges of the future.”
Returning to the Department, Minister of State for Defence Equipment, Technology and Support, Philip Dunne MP (above), said: "I am profoundly honoured to be returning to the Ministry of Defence as a Minister of State and I feel extremely privileged to continue as part of a department responsible for keeping our nation safe, both at home and abroad, and to work with such outstanding people; both in our Armed Forces and those who support them.
"There are challenges ahead but I look forward to building on the success of balancing the Defence budget for the first time in a generation. I will take forward our 10 year equipment plan with colleagues at Defence Equipment and Support, which will see over £160 billion invested to ensure our Armed Forces get the vital equipment they need at best value for the taxpayer. By doing this, we will continue to provide Britain with the capability and agile, adaptable forces we need to meet future threats."
