Kelly tipped to be youngest in Cabinet

Ruth Kelly is poised to become the youngest female Cabinet member in history in this week's reshuffle.

The 36-year-old Treasury minister is tipped to be the most high-profile beneficiary, possibly becoming Chief Secretary to the Treasury, when Tony Blair overhauls his government on Friday.

The promotion would make her the youngest member of the Cabinet since Harold Wilson, and the first woman under 40 at such a high level.

A senior source within the party said the move would be popular with the rank and file. Mr Blair is under pressure from senior woman Labour MPs to use the reshuffle to introduce more women in top positions.

The former Foreign Office minister Beverley Hughes is predicted to make a comeback.

There is speculation Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell could be made party chairman in place of Ian McCartney. Mr McCartney has been under threat since Labour's disappointing showing in the European elections and his place is thought to rest on the outcome of the Leicester South and Birmingham Hodge Hill by-elections.