MP Jesse Norman has confirmed through social media site Twitter that he will take on the full energy brief at the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

He tweeted: “Honoured to have been asked to take on the full Energy brief at @beisgovuk, following @LNevilleRolfe’s move to HMT.”

The appointment follows Baroness Neville-Rolfe’s move to the HM Treasury, she was previously a Business, Energy and Culture Minister.

Mr Norman had previously supported Baroness Neville-Rolfe, but he will remain an under-secretary of state, whilst Baroness Neville-Rolfe was a minister of state.

Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael complained that the energy brief has gone from having an entire department to being represented by the most junior level of minister.

A BEIS spokesman said the government’s commitment to the “vital” oil and gas industry remained as strong as ever. He added: “Jesse Norman has been committed to the energy portfolio ever since the department was formed."

Before entering politics Norman was a director at Barclays, researched and taught philosophy at University College London, and ran a charitable project in Communist Eastern Europe.

The new minister has represented Hereford and South Herefordshire since 2010.