THORNBURY and Yate MP Steve Webb has survived a reshuffle of the coalition government, retaining his post as Minister for Work and Pensions.

Mr Webb is one of three ministers for the department working alongside Secretary of State Ian Duncan-Smith.

He was appointed back in 2010.

He told the Gazette this would allow him to see the work he began three years ago through.

“I’m staying put, which I am very pleased about," he said. "The thing that everybody says about pensions is that it’s a long term business. If you keep changing ministers and changing policies it is not good for the long term.

“I will be able to see things through. It will be good to have some continuity.”

As part for the reshuffle, Northern Ireland Minister Mike Penning was promoted to Minister of State for Work and Pensions.

Michael Moore was replaced by Alistair Carmichael as Secretary of State for Scotland.

Ex-journalist and Conservative MP Esther McVey was promoted to Employment Minister.