Will Quince replaces Vicky Ford as children and families minister

During his time at the Department for Work and Pensions, Quince, MP for Colchester, previously took responsibility for policies on the management and delivery of benefits including housing benefits and universal credit, benefits support for disadvantaged groups and poverty.

In 2019, he worked as minister for family support, housing and child maintenance.

Read more:

• Nadhim Zahawi replaces Gavin Williamson as Education Secretary

• Gavin Williamson sacked as Education Secretary

Quince confirmed his appointment under new Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi on Twitter.

He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as a minister at DfE. I am thoroughly looking forward to working with Nadhim Zahawi and the team to improve the life chances of children and young people.”

Quince replaces Vicky Ford who was appointed to the role in February 2020. 

Ford has been named as minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

I am delighted to have been appointed as a Minister at @educationgovuk

I am thoroughly looking forward to working with @nadhimzahawi and the team to improve the life chances of children and young people. pic.twitter.com/AAtQavHDcr

— Will Quince MP 🇬🇧 (@willquince) September 16, 2021

Responding to Quince’s appointment on Twitter, Mark Russell, chief executive at the Children’s Society, said: “Many congratulations Will. Looking forward to working with you in your new portfolio.”

Katharine Sacks-Jones, chief executive of Become, added: “Huge congratulations Will. We look forward to working with you.”

Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive, said: “We welcome Will Quince to his new position as children and families minister and congratulate him on his new role.  

“There is no doubt that Mr Quince takes up this position at a particularly difficult time for the early years sector, with the ongoing funding crisis, sustained recruitment and retention challenges, and of course, the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

“With the Spending Review just weeks away, it's evident that the Department for Education must do much more to make a clear, convincing argument to the Treasury about the need for greater investment into the early years - and as children and families minister, it is now the responsibility of Mr Quince to lead on this work.

“As such, we look forward to working closely with him to ensure that the views, needs and concerns of providers are represented at the highest level, and that our sector finally gets the respect, recognition and support it both needs and deserves.”

Former Northern Ireland minister Robin Walker has been named as schools minister, replacing Nick Gibb who held the role for nine years.

Walker wrote on Twitter: “Delighted to be appointed by Boris Johnson to join Nadhim Zahawi at DfE as minister for schools - an enormous challenge and a huge opportunity to level up and support the next generation.”

Congratulations to @nadhimzahawi who will do a superb job in building on the reforms of the last ten years. I am sad not to be continuing as Schools Minister. It has been a privilege to play a part in helping improve the life chances of the next generation.

— Nick Gibb (@NickGibbUK) September 15, 2021

Johnson’s former private secretary, Alex Burghart, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, has been named as apprenticeships and skills minister.

Michelle Donelan remains as universities minister and Baroness Berridged holds the position of schools system minister.