Richard Benyon, MP for Newbury since May 2005, has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Fisheries at Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

His responsibilities include marine coastal act implementation, marine management, fisheries and the inland waterways.

He will work under Caroline Spelman MP, who has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Before coming to government Mr Benyon served as a Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Wildlife. Prior to this appointment he was a Party Whip. He has also served on the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Growing up in Reading, Richard attended the Royal Agricultural College. He is a landowner and farmer on the Kennett & Avon Canal, and a former soldier and founder of the charity help for heroes.

He is a vice president of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and a keen angling supporter.

Mr Benyon said he was very pleased to join the government and looked forward to meeting Mrs Spelman. “When we were in opposition there were a lot of things we wanted to do and couldn’t achieve, but now we can move forward,” he said.

Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has been appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport with responsibility for Maritime and Dangerous Goods – including Maritime and Coastguard Agency