Saqib has been appointed as a Shadow Minister of State in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This appointment follows the recent end of the Conservative leadership contest, with new leader, Kemi Badenoch MP, making her shadow ministerial appointments. Prior to this appointment, Saqib was a Shadow Minister in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and a Shadow Minister in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). In his new role, Saqib will hold the government to account by scrutinising its policies and actions to secure the best outcome for the nation.
During the last parliament, Saqib served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for DSIT, giving him firsthand knowledge of working within a government department as a minister. He also served as a Parliamentary Private Secretary for DCMS, supporting the work of ministers on numerous pieces of legislation, including the Football Governance Bill. These experiences will help Saqib to properly scrutinise the work of DCMS and hold the ministers to account.
Commenting on the appointment, Saqib said:
“I am delighted to be appointed to the shadow front bench. As his Majesty’s opposition, our primary duty is to hold the Government to account. As a nation, we Brits love our culture and sport and it is essential the Government do what they can to make it accessible and open for everyone. As Shadow Minister, I will work hard to ensure the Government continue to make Britain the cultural and sporting capital of the world."