Rail minister Hammond reportedly out in pre-election reshuffle

Stephen Hammond, transport minister for less than two years, is reportedly to be replaced in the Prime Minister's reshuffle today.

Hammond, parliamentary under-secretary of state since September 2012, was charged with overseeing the Highways Agency reform plans and the trial of longer lorries, and since last October's reshuffle has been responsible for rail franchising and operations. A shadow transport minister from 2005 to 2010, Hammond earlier this year found himself in the media spotlight over rail fares, something Labour has made an issue of. He told the BBC that the Government had "made a start" on bearing down on rail fare increases.

The Prime Minister reportedly wishes to promote fresh faces with broad appeal in the run-up to the General Election. Some Tory backbenchers told the broadsheets that experience was being lost in order to promote younger ministers and women.