Sajid Javid may return to office early next year, while Boris Johnson prepares for a reshuffle as part of a reconfiguration of his government

The Carrie Symonds Club Ltd : Sajid Javid can return to the Number 10 team

There were suggestions last night that Javid could move to Downing Street as Johnson's chief of staff, although sources close to the former Chancellor played down the suggestion.

He is also a friend of Carrie Symonds, the Prime Minister's fiancée, who is an increasingly influential figure in number 10. One minister said that Dominic Cummings' departure removed the "blockade" on Javid's return.