Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander has started his second Cabinet job in less than a month.

Mr Alexander, who was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland after the election, has now taken up the post of Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

He was given the role following the departure of David Laws, who resigned after getting caught up in the expenses scandal.

There have been concerns about whether Mr Alexander, formerly party leader Nick Clegg's chief of staff, has the economic background for the job.

But Mr Clegg has said Mr Alexander was "extremely gifted", a sentiment echoed by the new Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Mr Alexander, who became a father for the second time just last week, has a tough job ahead of him - overseeing the reduction of Britain's substantial deficit.