EAST Lancashire MP and Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry has stepped down from the Government in this week’s reshuffle.

The 41-year-old, who has three young children, declined an offer of becoming number two in the Foreign Office.

He has so far not been replaced as Northern Powerhouse minister, a job he held for three years..

Mr Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen since 2010, said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to fight for the North in Westminster. I have helped move the Northern Powerhouse from concept to cabinet table.

“I firmly believe it was the foundation stone of the blue wall that delivered a Conservative majority government.

“I chose to leave government after being offered another role that would have required substantial amounts of foreign travel.

“I did not think it was workable. I have three children under three, the youngest less than a week old. Family will always come first.

“I loved being Northern Powerhouse minister and doing a job that directly benefited my constituents and the people of East Lancashire.”

Cllr John Slater, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Conservative group said: “Jake’s departure will be a great loss to the government. He will remain a hard-working MP.”