17:11

Andrew Percy, northern powerhouse minister, has resigned from the government.

Writing on social media, the MP for Brigg and Goole said he had been offered the role again following last week’s election, but had decided to “pursue other challenges”. He said:

[It] was a privilege to be asked to continue serving in my role in government as a minister, but I have reluctantly decided to step down and leave the government. I thank the prime minister for offering me this role again but I have decided to pursue other challenges. She continues to enjoy my full support from the back benches.

Percy was promoted to the job in Theresa May’s first cabinet reshuffle last July. He took over from James Wharton, who was the first MP to take the role and lost his seat in Stockton South last week. Percy has been MP for his Yorkshire constituency since 2010 and increased his majority by 7.4 points on Thursday.

Commenting on the resignation, Ed Cox, director of IPPR North, said that while ministers come and go, “the weight of the north’s £300bn economy continues to gather momentum despite Westminster whims”. He went on: