Timpson departure 'a loss' for children's sector, says Loughton
Gabriella Jozwiak and Neil Puffett
Monday, June 12, 2017
Edward Timpson's defeat in last week's general election, meaning he will be replaced as children's minister, is a loss for the sector, his predecessor Tim Loughton has said.
Timpson was among several MPs in child and youth-related government roles who failed to win re-election to parliament. He lost his Crewe and Nantwich seat by just 48 votes to Labour's Laura Smith.
Tim Loughton, who Timpson replaced as children's minister in 2012, said: "It's a loss. He took over from me and did a very good job."
Loughton said he believes an announcement on Timpson's replacement may be made "later today or tomorrow".
"In terms of where we go from here and who replaces him it's a little bit premature," he added.
"I don't want to speculate on that until we've got something. I'm sure she [Prime Minister Theresa May] will want to get on with it."
In addition to Timpson, Rob Wilson, who was appointed youth minister in 2014, also lost his Reading East seat to Labour's Matt Rodda with a 16 per cent swing.
And Neil Carmichael, chair of the education select committee from 2015, lost his Stroud constituency seat to Labour candidate David Drew.
The trio were among a number of Conservative casualties as the party secured 318 seats, down 13 on the 2015 result.
Prime Minister Theresa May is currently holding talks with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), with which she plans to form a minority government.
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 also played a key role in the passage of the Children and Social Work Act 2017 through parliament.
Hugh Thornbery, former chief executive of Adoption UK, tweeted that the sector had lost a "passionate and able children and families minister".
Put aside party allegiances, we've lost a passionate and able Children and Families Minister @edwardtimpson #GE2017 https://t.co/bKqMdJfCJj
— Hugh Thornbery (@HThornbery) June 9, 2017
Sir Martin Narey, who is currently conducting a fostering "stocktake" on behalf of the government, also voiced his "regret" at seeing Timpson lose his seat.
Never voted for his party but much regret seeing Edward Timpson losing his seat. He + @timloughton could not have been more caring Ministers
— Martin Narey (@martinnarey) June 9, 2017
Rob Wilson was appointed youth minister in September 2014, replacing Brooks Newmark.
As well as youth services he was responsible for the National Citizen Service, social action, charities, social enterprise and social investment.
Paul Miller, chief executive of the National Youth Agency (NYA), said: "The NYA would like to thank Rob Wilson for his work and efforts to consult with the sector and develop a youth policy strategy.
"With young people's growing voice over Brexit and in the elections yesterday, a new government should now consider creating a young people's minister, championing young people at cabinet level, with a wide, cross-departmental brief for youth policy, social action, apprenticeships, mental health and other key aspects of young people's lives."
The NYA later tweeted it hoped the youth policy strategy Wilson had begun would not be "kicked into the long grass".
Thanks to @RobWilson_RDG for kickstarting youth strategy consultation - impt work which hope won't be kicked into long grass @DCMS
— NYA (@natyouthagency) June 12, 2017
Commenting on his own election loss, Carmichael tweeted that his "interests in education policy & support of all involved" would continue.
Thank you for so many generous comments on my contributions. My interests in education policy & support of all involved will continue.
— Neil Carmichael (@stroud_neil) June 11, 2017
Theresa May has confirmed that Education Secretary Justine Greening will retain her role.
However, it is yet to be confirmed whether junior education ministers who held onto their parliamentary seats, such as childcare minister Caroline Dinenage, will remain in their current positions.
A DfE spokeswoman said announcements about the future of Nick Gibb, minister for school standards, Robert Halfon, minister for apprenticeships and skills, and Jo Johnson, minister for universities, science, research and innovation, will be made over the next two days.
However, May has moved Justice Secretary Liz Truss to the position of Chief Secretary to the Treasury, with Leader of the Commons David Lidington moving to justice.
The Children's Society chief executive Matthew Reed has urged the new government to rethink its election pledge to withdraw free school lunches for all infant children.
He said the charity is "deeply concerned" that many children in poverty will be affected by the plans to withdraw free school lunches for all infant children.
"We would urge the government to commit to free lunches for all primary and secondary school children whose families receive Universal Credit," he said.
"Children in poverty are among those most likely to suffer from mental health disorders and that is why we want to see a commitment to fund counselling in all schools to ensure pupils get the vital early support needed to help address issues before they escalate."
Meanwhile, Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years chief executive Liz Bayram called for May to confirm who would head the government's childcare brief, as the government is in the process of extending a free childcare entitlement for parents.
"Our overriding plea is for a new childcare minister to be appointed quickly who is focused on getting 30 hours right before moving on to new commitments such as expanding childcare in primary schools in England," said Bayram.
"A policy that doesn't recognise that the vast majority of places are currently delivered by private and voluntary-sector providers, including childminders, can only ever be part of the solution."
Her call was echoed by National Day Nurseries Association chief executive Purnima Tanuku, who said the government needed to "urgently" address funding for the 30 free hours policy.
