Hayes, who is a Labour Party MP for south London’s Dulwich and West Norwood constituency, was elected following a secret ballot yesterday (11 September).
She was shadow early years minister from September 2021 until the general election was called in May.
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Interview: Helen Hayes MP, shadow children and early years minister
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Interview: Education select committee chair Robin Walker MP
Following her election as committee chair, Hayes said she was “honoured” to take on the roll.
“Working cross-party, this committee will continue to champion the interests of children, young people and parents in every corner of England and from every background, as well as adults who seek to retrain and learn new skills.
“Over the course of this parliament, we will scrutinise the policies of this government and bodies such as Ofsted and Ofqual, and always be led by the evidence we receive,” she said.
Hayes replaces former Conservative MP Robin Walker who held the post between November 2022 and the general election. Previously, Robert Halfon, another former Conservative MP, held the role between July 2017 and November 2019 and again from January 2020 to October 2022.
Elsewhere, Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has been named as chair of the Health and Social Care Committee.
Conservative MP for Gosport Dame Caroline Dinenage will chair the Culture, Media and Sport Committee which scrutinises government policy on youth services.
