He lost his role as a parliamentary undersecretary at the Department for Work and Pensions.

But it emerged this week the 54-year-old's disappointment has been tempered by the prospect of a new appointment "in the near future".

Mr Plaskitt was unwilling to reveal what the post would be because, he said, "it requires the approval of Parliament".

If the Leamington and Warwick MP is moving up in the world, the Prime Minister may have been satisfied to hear his support on recent decisions.

Mr Plaskitt the reshuffle had made the government "stronger", adding he was pleased by "the people who have come back like Lord Mandelson, as he will become".

The government had "a lot to offer", he said, and "big-hitters" were the right people for "extremely challenging and difficult times".

He added: "I am naturally disappointed to be leaving the DWP and an enjoyable post and good team, but it is always the Prime Minister's choice who goes where and you don't argue."

His anti-fraud remit has been given to Burnley and Padiham MP Kitty Ussher, who switches from the treasury, where she has been a junior minister since this June.

The job was Mr Plaskitt's first ministerial position and he had held it since 2005.

Both his successor and he said this week their priority was to represent their constituencies.