Labour announces shadow childcare and children's ministers

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West, has been appointed shadow children's minister leading on child protection, special educational needs (SEN), adoption and fostering, and safeguarding.

Meanwhile, Pat Glass, MP for Durham North West, has been appointed as shadow childcare minister.

Following the announcements on Friday, Hodgson tweeted that she was “very happy" with her appointment.

Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urnston, will now take on Hodgson's previous role as shadow women’s and equalities minister.

Hodgson was shadow education minister between 2010 and 2013, and sat on the children's, schools and families committee from 2007 to 2010.

She was also responsible for getting a Private Member's Bill into law – the Special Educational Needs (Information) Act 2008 – which requires the Department for Education (DfE) to publish an annual report about children with SEN.

Glass has sat on the education committee since July 2010. She has worked as an adviser to the government on education and worked with local authorities across Yorkshire and Humber to improve their education services.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, welcomed Glass's appointement.

"We look forward to working with her closely, and helping to ensure that Labour’s evolving stance on early years policy reflects the needs, ideas and concerns of those working on the front-line," he said.
 
“At a time of real change for the sector, it is critical that politicians from all parties engage in open and honest debate about the challenges and opportunities currently facing early years providers."

The appointments of Hodgson and Glass follow those of Lucy Powell as shadow education minister, Luciana Berger as shadow minister for mental health and Gloria De Piero as shadow minister for young people earlier in the week.