Suffolk South MP James Cartlidge has been appointed as parliamentary private secretary to health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The role will require Mr Cartlidge – who took over from Tim Yeo in the safe Conservative seat when he stood down at the 2015 general election – to provide a link between ministers and MPs.

He said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as parliamentary private secretary to Jeremy Hunt, the secretary of state for health and social care. “This is clearly a really important period for our NHS and broader health and social care issues. I look forward to doing what I can to support Jeremy Hunt and the ministerial team in the months ahead, while continuing to work hard for the people of South Suffolk.”

During Theresa May’s recent cabinet reshuffle Mr Hunt – tipped as a future PM – was asked to leave his role at health to become the new business secretary but refused.