Maria Miller appointed as disabled minister at Department for Work and Pensions

Miller was widely expected to take up a ministerial role in the Department for Education under a Conservative government. But she revealed to CYP Now that she had been moved into work and pensions as a result of the coalition agreements.

The former Conservative shadow families' minister will be working for new Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan-Smith.

As shadow families minister, Miller's key responsibilities focused on early years, Sure Start and helping parents to access quality childcare and improve their work-life balance.

Another prominent figure in the sector, Lynne Featherstone, former Liberal Democrat spokeswoman on youth and equalities, has been appointed as junior equalities minister at the Home Office.

Conservative MP Chris Grayling has also been appointed as minister of state for employment, while David Freud has been made minister for welfare reform.