NORTH West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse has been given a new role in the government ranks.

Mr Malthouse yesterday (Thursday) replaced Nick Hurd as Minister of State for Policing, in a reshuffle following the election of Boris Johnson as prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party.

From July last year Mr Malthouse served as housing minister and replaced by Esther Mcvey but following a wealth of sackings and appointments he will now move over to the Home Office. 

Mr Malthouse said: "Congratulations to my old friend and fellow scouser Esther as she takes on the important job of building homes across the country - more, better, faster remains the mission. 

"I‘ve now started work as policing minister and I will work relentlessly to keep our streets safe. We’re doing this by drastically increasing the number of police officers over the next three years as well as finding the right mix of skills, equipment, techniques and capabilities so officers can do their job. 

"I will of course keep fighting for North West Hampshire and continue my efforts to make sure people across our beautiful constituency have access to good quality jobs, wages, homes, schools and public services." 

Following his withdrawal from the leadership race he backed Mr Johnson having worked under the new PM when he was mayor of London from 2008 to 2016.

During that time, Mr Malthouse worked as Deputy Mayor Policing from 2008 to 2012.

Within his role he campaigned against dangerous dogs across London and also released ‘Time for Action’ in response to escalating concerns about youth violence in the capital.

In the hours following his appointment to Minister of State for Policing Mr Malthouse has already aired concerns about Mr Johnson’s pledge to recruit 20,000 more police after he admitted that hiring the extra officers could be delayed if there is nowhere for them to be based.

He has also revealed that PM Mr Johnson will hold an emergency budget in the autumn.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Malthouse said: “The prime minister has also announced there’s going to be an emergency budget in the autumn which will be designed to stimulate the economy.

“What you hope is that a more strongly growing economy will produce greater tax revenue which we can pay for some of the things that we want to do.”