Sajid Javid has been appointed business secretary in the first all-Conservative Cabinet in 18 years.

The former culture secretary, who replaces ousted Liberal Democrat MP Vince Cable, said he wanted to create two million more jobs and three million more apprentices over the next five years.

“I believe passionately in free enterprise, that free enterprise is the lifeblood of any successful economy,” he told the BBC Today Programme. “My father ran a shop, I lived above it, so I understand small business and I want to make sure government is clearly on the side of business.”

Pledging to further cut regulation, he added: ”I’m not in a position at this point what that deregulation should be. But what I do know as a principle is sometimes when government create new rules and regulations they make things worse, they don’t make them any better.”

Anna Soubry is the new small business minister, Greg Clark is the new communities secretary, replacing Eric Pickles, while Theresa May continues as Home Secretary.