Purnell to take charge of broadcasting

James Purnell has taken ministerial responsibility for broadcasting in a shift of duties for the new culture secretary.

Previously it had been the norm for the broadcasting role to be allocated to a junior minister in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The new secretary of state will directly answer questions on broadcasting issues and oversee the switchover from analogue to digital television, which begins this autumn. Purnell was a broadcasting minister under the previous culture secretary Tessa Jowell, who will retain a special ministerial role planning the London 2012 Olympics.

The former broadcasting minister, Shaun Woodward, previously responsible for digital switchover, has now been promoted to Northern Ireland secretary.

Margaret Hodge will now become the culture and arts minister. Her responsibilities include tourism, the arts and the creative industries, which comprise the film and video, advertising, television and radio sectors. She was formerly minister of state for industry and the regions.

Gerry Sutcliffe will is the new parliamentary under secretary of state for sport, gambling, horse racing and the National Lottery, including education and social policy relating to children, young people and obesity. He was previously the parliamentary under secretary of state for criminal justice and offender management at the Ministry of Justice.