Rishi Sunak scales back plans for major Cabinet reshuffle

Number 10 has scaled back plans to hold a major Cabinet reshuffle next month, The Telegraph understands.

Rishi Sunak is now considering focusing on replacing ministers who have already said they want to step down, such as Ben Wallace.

The Defence Secretary said in July that he wanted to go at the next reshuffle, and will not be contesting his seat at the next election.

Will Quince, the health minister, also said he wants to step down as an MP at the next election.

It is still planned for the reshuffle to take place in the days before Parliament returns on September 4.

A source in the whips’ office told The Telegraph that although there was a “live discussion”, it is now expected that the focus will be on “people who want to go”.

John Glen, the chief secretary to the Treasury, is seen as a likely contender to replace Mr Wallace as Defence Secretary.

It had been rumoured that figures such as Therese Coffey, the Environment Secretary, will be moved aside.

There had also been speculation that Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary, could be shifted to another position, with his job being taken by Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary.

However, Mr Sunak’s change of heart could make such moves less likely.

If Mr Glen does get Mr Wallace’s job, it is possible that Claire Coutinho could take his Treasury position.

She is currently the children’s minister, but is known to be close to Mr Sunak – she was his special adviser when he was chief secretary to the Treasury.

Mr Wallace told The Sunday Times that he would not stand at the next election, but ruled out leaving Parliament “prematurely” and forcing another by-election.

The news came after it emerged he had not succeeded in his dream of becoming secretary general of Nato.

Mr Wallace told the paper: “I went into politics in the Scottish parliament in 1999. That’s 24 years. I’ve spent well over seven years with three phones by my bed.”

Other names linked in recent weeks to the defence secretary role include Tom Tugendhat, the security minister; Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Foreign Office minister; and Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the Commons.

Some have also linked James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, to the role.

If Mr Sunak decides not to make major changes at Cabinet level, he may decide to focus on the minister-of-state ranks - one rung down from the Cabinet.