Edward Timpson reappointed as children's minister

Timpson, who was re-elected MP for Crewe and Nantwich last week, held the children's minister position for nearly three years under the coalition government as parliamentary under-secretary of state, after succeeding Tim Loughton in September 2012.

During his time as children’s minister Timpson oversaw the implementation of the Children and Families Act 2014, which introduced key government reforms to adoption, staying put in foster care until 21, and improved support for children and young people with special educational needs.

He has also championed the rights of looked-after children and care leavers, and has openly talked about his experience of having foster siblings.

He will return to the DfE in the elevated position of minister of state for children and families alongside Nicky Morgan, who Prime Minister David Cameron reappointed as Education Secretary at the weekend after the Tories' election victory last week. 

Timpson was re-elected in his Cheshire seat despite seeing his majority nearly halve to 3,620. He was originally elected to parliament at a by-election in 2008.

In other appointments, Jo Johnson has been made universities minister at the Department for Innovation, Business and Skills, while Mark Francois becomes minister of state at Department for Communities and Local Government.

Children’s sector figures took to Twitter to congratulate Timpson on his appointment.

The government adoption adviser Martin Narey said the move is “good news for children”.

Christian Guy, director of the Centre for Social Justice think-tank, said: “The Timpson family is inspiring and Edward has become a superb champion for the most vulnerable children in particular.”

Sam Smithers, chief executive of charity Grandparents Plus, said she was pleased to see Timpson’s return to the DfE, while foster carer and former Times journalist Martin Barrow, said Timpson was “as good for children and families as Norman Lamb was for mental health”.

Oliver Letwin has been put in charge of the Cabinet Office, while Andrea Leadsom, a key architect of the Conservative Party’s early years election policies, has been appointed minister of state at the Department for Energy and Climate Change.