CYP Now - Churn of DfE ministers ‘frustrating’ for sector, shadow minister says

The appointment of the fifth Education Secretary in less than a year and changes to the children’s minister’s brief to incorporate schools “gives a fair indication of how important the government thinks children are”, shadow minister for children and early years Helen Hayes has said.

Helen Hayes is shadow early years minister. Picture: Parliament UK

Speaking exclusively to CYP Now, Hayes described the “lack of stability” across both roles as “endlessly frustrating”.

Kit Malthouse was appointed as Education Secretary last month after James Cleverly, who took up the position in July, was given the Foreign Secretary brief.

Previously the role was held by Michelle Donelan, who resigned after just 48 hours in a rebellion against former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Nadhim Zahawi and Gavin Williamson, who was sacked from the role in September last year following a series of U-turns over schooling during the pandemic.

Kelly Tolhurst was named as schools and childhood minister last week and handed a brief which incorporates both the former children’s minister role and that of the schools minister.

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