Currently reading: Transport secretary Grant Shapps sacked by new PM

Shapps was appointed in 2019 but loses job to Anne-Marie Trevelyan in reshuffle by Liz Truss

Grant Shapps, the UK's transport secretary, has been sacked by newly appointed prime minister Liz Truss, who has replaced him with Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

Shapps, who has been the government’s roads boss since 2019, was removed just hours after Truss took office having beaten rival Rishi Sunak – who Shapps had backed – in the Conservative Party’s leadership election.

The department will now be headed by former Trade Secretary Trevelyan.

Taking to Twitter, Shapps said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Transport Secretary; a job I loved. 

“Now I look forward to being a strong, independent voice on the backbenches, developing policies that will further the Conservative cause.”

Shapps will be remembered for a number of controversial decisions, including scrapping electric car subsidies in June while fuel prices soared to record levels across the country. 

He was also one of the main drivers behind the smart motorways scheme, despite confirming they were “anything but” safe in an interview last year. 

It is unsure if the scheme will continue when a new minister takes the role, with Truss proclaiming her ambition to scrap the project if they're "not working".

The new secretary is also expected to follow a strict brief from Truss, who has stated her plans to scrap speed limits on UK motorways in an Autobahn-style system.

Speaking about Trevelyan's appointment, Edmund King, the AA’s president said: “Despite the financial pressures on the country [the role] still holds the potential for revolutions in the switch to electric vehicles, road safety, competitive pricing, fair enforcement and a leap in car technology."

Will Rimell

Will Rimell Autocar
Title: News editor

Will is Autocar's news editor.​ His focus is on setting Autocar's news agenda, interviewing top executives, reporting from car launches, and unearthing exclusives.

As part of his role, he also manages Autocar Business – the brand's B2B platform – and Haymarket's aftermarket publication CAT.

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martin_66 7 September 2022
The man responsible for “smart” motorways and getting rid of subsidies for electric cars. He has made travelling on the roads both more expensive and a lot more dangerous.

Good riddance Grant, motorists are better off without you.

lee44 7 September 2022

Could not have said it any better! 

si73 7 September 2022
And people say that there's never any good news stories.
Cobnapint 6 September 2022
Philip Hammond suggested this when he became transport sec, and look how that ended up.