Richard Benyon confirmed as new Waterway Minister

Richard Benyon has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Defra.

Richard Benyon has been MP for Newbury since May 2005. Before coming to government Mr Benyon served as a Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Wildlife. Prior to this appointment he was a Party Whip. He has also served on the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Growing up in Reading, Richard attended the Royal Agricultural College. He is a riparian landowner and farmer on the Kennett & Avon Canal, and a former soldier and founder of the charity help for heroes.

He is a vice president of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and a keen angling supporter.

Mr Benyon said he was very pleased to join the government and looked forward to meeting Mrs Spelman. "When we were in opposition there were a lot of things we wanted to do and couldn't achieve, but now we can move forward," he said.