This column yesterday expressed the hope that the reshuffle would not see yet another change of energy minister – there have been eight in the past six years, and energy policy seems to have changed almost as often.

That hope was dashed, though not in quite the way that had been feared. Gordon Brown’s passion for tinkering with the machinery of government has this time unscrewed energy from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and bolted it on to a new Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Even though it creates more uncertainty, the move was welcomed by the energy industry. Companies have been complaining of “gridlock” over energy policy because it was split between the Business and Environment departments. They usually disagreed and decisions got kicked into the long grass.

The arrival of Paul Myners as City minister must also raise uncertainties. He is well connected in Brownian circles, the author of several “independent” reviews. But the coopting of City and industry figures into the big tent has not always been successful – note the departure of Sir Digby Jones and, a few weeks back, of a clearly frustrated and bored Sir James Sassoon, the investment banker.

John Hutton, moving from Business to Defence, will be sorely missed, not just by the energy fraternity but business as a whole. He was seen as a decisive pragmatist who stood up for business, and was prepared to take on anyone, including the Prime Minister.

There is some consolation in his replacement, Peter Mandelson, who made a good impression during his brief tenure at the previous Department of Trade and Industry. He had a passion for the brief that business had not seen since Michael Heseltine and brought a sense of excitement to a rather beaten-down department. But he was not there long enough to turn the style into substance.

Business will be hoping for a bit more delivery this time.

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