Prime minister David Cameron asked Fallon to take on the role of minister for Portsmouth, created to help the city recover from the loss of more than 900 shipbuilding jobs. It follows BAE’s decision in November to close its naval dockyard in Portsmouth and shift shipbuilding to Scotland.
Fallon retains his existing responsibilities in both the energy and business departments, which include fracking and Electricity Market Reform.
Local politicians welcomed the move to put a minister on the case of reviving Portsmouth’s economic fortunes. It is the first such specific regional appointment since 1981, when Michael Heseltine was put in charge of Liverpool’s regeneration following the Toxteth riots.
However, some questioned whether Fallon could give all the assignment his full attention.
Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock told the BBC: “We have to bear in mind that Michael Fallon has already got two other jobs. I just hope he has the time and energy to devote to the issues we are facing.”
Labour’s shadow energy team was quick to label Fallon “the part-time energy minister” in March 2013, when he was appointed to that role on top of his business brief.