Claire Coutinho has been named the new Energy Security and Zero Secretary. Photo: Stéphane Rousseau
Claire Coutinho is the first Conservative MP to join the cabinet in 2019 after Rishi Sunak appointed her as the new energy security and net zero secretary.
Coutinho, who promoted from the post of Minister of Children's Affairs, is one of Sunak's most loyal political allies and has worked closely with him throughout her time in government.
The 38-year-old is an Indian immigrant daughter and was educated at the James Allen School for Girls in Dulwich, the second oldest independent girls' school in the UK, before going on to Oxford University for a master's degree in Mathematics and Philosophy.
After graduating from university, Ms. Coutinho began her career in the city and then took a job at the Center for Social Justice (CSJ), a centre-right think tank run by Sir Ian Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader.
Behind this followed by a position at the Institute of Housing and Finance, where she served as Program Director, as well as Director of Corporate Relations for KPMG's Service Network.
A staunch Brexiteer, Ms. Coutinho joined the Treasury as Special Advisor during Brexit negotiations so that she can, in her own words, secure Britain's exit from the European Union «from within».
She was elected by a majority of just over 24,000 in the 2019 general election, taking the safe Conservative seat in East Surrey.
Claire Coutinho has worked closely with Rishi Sunak since her election to Parliament in 2019. Photo: Simon Walker/10 Downing Street
Ms. Coutinho entered the Treasury as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in 2020, making her one of Mr. Sunak's top aides when he became Chancellor.
As part of this, she worked on the economic response to the Covid pandemic, and served as advisory roles at the Forward and Policy Exchange think tanks.
The Privilege to Serve
Ms. Coutinho remained at her PPS. in this position until July 6, when she resigned due to Boris Johnson's actions in the Chris Pincher case, the day after Mr. Sunak left office for the same reason.
She said at the time that the many political disputes engulfing Johnson are «preventing us» from dealing with rising inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
programs like the vacation scheme to support the country,” she told voters.
“I am proud of the many things this government has done, including the introduction of the vaccine and our response. to the war in Ukraine.
Claire Coutinho pictured with Labrador Retriever Rishi Nova Sunaka Photo: INSTAGRAM
Then her attention turned to the ill-fated leadership campaign -on Sunaka last summer. Together with Grant Shapps, whom she replaced as Secretary of Energy, she was at the center of an operation to persuade Conservative MPs to support his campaign.
Ms. Coutinho was appointed by Liz Truss as a junior minister in the ministry. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) last September, despite her strong support for Mr. Sunak.
She then became Minister for Children when Mr. Sunak appeared on Downing the following month street.
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During this time, she intervened several times in the ongoing debate over the culture of British university campuses, insisting that freedom of speech «has been the basis of progress in society for centuries.»
She also insisted that the dismissed scientists , whose freedom of speech is «wrongly infringed» should be able to sue their universities as she leads the fight against the House of Lords' plans to abolish the wrong that grants professors and students that right.
< img src="/wp-content /uploads/2023/09/204022e9fd046ccec1eae15e56e9e484.jpg" />Claire Coutinho, the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, has arrived at Downing Street. Photo: Julian Simmonds for The Daily Telegraph
Since Coutinho worked under Mr. Sunak at the Treasury Department during his campaign, it's no surprise that he was the first candidate to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Shapps, the new Secretary of Defense.
She is taking on the energy review at a time when the government's green policy has come under renewed scrutiny after the Tories won by-elections in Uxbridge and South Ruislip following a public uprising against London Mayor Sadiq Khan's ultra-low emission expansion. zone.
Ms. Coutinho will now oversee the net zero policy pursued by number 10, amid reports that some commitments may soon be delayed or changed amid the war in Ukraine, which has given a new momentum of British self-sufficiency.
Although she never debated net-zero emissions in the House of Commons, she welcomed the appointment of Andrew Griffith as a net-zero advocate in November 2020, writing: «Big business has a key role to play in achieving net-zero emissions.»< /p> < img src="/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/def4d2d9cc53ec732a31585c619c4a0d.jpg" /> Claire Coutinho talks with then Prime Minister Boris Johnson about women in STEM fields in March 2022. Photo: CLAIRECOUTINHO/INSTAGRAM
One of the key issues on her list will be the government's planned ban on new oil boilers from 2026.
In Ms Coutinho's East Surrey constituency, the equivalent of one of eight currently offline, according to data from the Commons Library.
She is generally regarded as a rising star of the party and a capable media performer, so Mr. Sunak hopes her ascent to the top table will help keep the public on the side of environmental issues, while strengthening the reputation of a competent person.
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