Theresa May has appointed Amber Rudd, the former home secretary, as her new work and pensions secretary.

She will replace Esther McVey, who resigned on Wednesday in protest at Ms May’s Brexit deal.

Ms Rudd was forced to resign from her Home Office role in April over the Windrush scandal but will return to the Cabinet after just over six months.

One of her most daunting tasks will be overseeing the rollout of the controversial Universal Credit policy, which has been heavily criticised from across the political spectrum.

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