Stourbridge MP Margot James says new ministerial role is a 'great opportunity'

Ms James was made digital minister as part of Theresa May's reshuffle this month and will work directly under Culture Secretary Matt Hancock.

The Stourbridge MP has been tipped as a rising star in the Conservative Party and was rewarded by the Prime Minister with the new role.

Ms James said: "I am very excited. There is a range of areas I am responsible for which are very important for the future economy in so many ways, including broadcasting, the BBC, digital, film and the tech industry."

Asked about her future prospects, the 60-year-old joked: "It's a great opportunity at my old age. I've got a great job and it's the great opportunity that's important to me, not where I am in the party."

Ms James steps into the new brief at a challenging time for the Government, which continues to face pressure over Brexit negotiations and reports of Cabinet unrest.

Reports emerged last week ahead of a Cabinet meeting that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was to demand more money for the NHS, prompting criticism from several ministers who insisted top-level Government discussions should remain private.

However, the MP said Mrs May was 'resilient' and believes she will not have been overly concerned by the leak.

Ms James said: "I take it with a pinch of salt. I know people are always interested in political intrigue, it has been the case since year dot.

"I know the Prime Minister is resilient, has a huge sense of duty and purpose and is not ruffled."

Ms James said she was frustrated at the NHS being politicised.

She said: "We have got a good Health Secretary and I leave health to him. Some very good work is being done on the NHS and it is a great shame it has been clouded by politics. It does it a great disservice."

The MP was speaking during a visit to Stourbridge business Cox & Plant to coincide with the announcement that 95 per cent of the country now has access to superfast broadband.

She said: "It's great because it's gone from pretty much zero to 95 per cent across the country that have access to superfast broadband since 2009. It is our Government who have delivered that and they have done a great job."