Dhanda held three ministerial posts during the last Parliament and represented Gloucester for nine years until May 2010. He has now taken up his post at Prospect head office in Waterloo, London. He served as a minister at the Department for Education and Skills (2006-07), Communities and Local Government (2007-08) and as a DTI whip (2005-06).

As a former member of the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, with a Bachelor of Engineering degree and MSc in Information Technology, Dhanda will use his parliamentary expertise to promote the interests of Prospect’s 122,000 members in science, engineering and a host of specialist professions.

Welcoming Parmjit to his new post, Prospect General Secretary, Paul Noon, said:

“Prospect is stepping up efforts for the challenging period ahead to get our message across in Parliament and the wider public arena. Whether on public sector pay and pensions, health and safety, defence, energy or broadband policy, we must make sure our voice is heard loud and clear.

“Parmjit is uniquely well qualified to help us do that – not only as a former Government minister but an expert with a wide range of contacts who is respected across the political spectrum.

“There is no doubt the coalition government's agenda poses major problems for Prospect, as it does for all unions. This appointment shows we are up for the challenge.”

Parmjit Dhanda said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for me and I’m delighted to be joining Prospect. I look forward to using my experience to help protect jobs and working conditions for hardworking employees in the face of the coalition’s savage cuts.

“This will be a challenging time for Prospect and the wider trade union movement, but our work will be more important than ever.”

Dhanda is a former national organiser with Connect, the union for professionals in communications, which merged with Prospect in January.