Your guide to the department's cast of ministerial characters, and what’s in their in-trays
Labour made bold pledges to be active in the education sector prior to the general election, setting out goals to recruit 6,500 new teachers, transform the apprenticeships levy to a growth and skills levy, end VAT exemptions for private schools, and remove single-word Ofsted ratings – to name just a few.
Since assuming power, the party has already increased wages for teachers, scrapped one-word ratings, and committed to two education and children-specific bills. The children’s wellbeing bill combines a massive variety of pledges on, among other things, teacher recruitment, school breakfasts, uniforms, and a national curriculum; while the Skills England bill covers the national supply of skills necessary for economic growth.
As well as being the new education secretary, Bridget Phillipson has also become minister for women and equalities.
Phillipson grew up in a single-mother household in a council house, going on to join the Labour Party at the age of 15 and later work for Sunderland City Council and Wearside Women in Need, a charity founded by Phillipson’s mother dedicated to giving refuge to women affected by domestic violence.
Upon her appointment as secretary of state, she told DfE officials that the new government would be “focused relentlessly” on improving the life chances of the nation’s children.
“I am determined that we will drive change together,” she said. “Together across government. Together with staff across education, together, where we can, with the trade unions who represent the education workforce, and above all, and most importantly, together with every one of you.”
Phillipson said she wanted DfE to be a place where all staff were proud to come to work every day, and where their contribution was valued from the permanent secretary down.
“I know that in the civil service you are bright, committed people who put public service first” Bridget Phillipson
She added: “I am so deeply proud that I will be working with all of you. I know that in the civil service you are bright, committed people who put public service first, you chose to work here, on the greatest of our causes, our children, their education, shaping Britain’s future.”
Phillipson is joined by Anneliese Dodds, who has also been appointed as minister for women and equalities. As both hold the same ministerial title, it is understood that Phillipson will be in charge of the bigger-picture elements of women and equalities vis-a-vis the education sector, while Dodds will be in charge of the day-to-day operations. Dodds had been shadow secretary of state for women and equalities since September 2020, which will stand her in good stead for the role.
The ministerial team also includes Baroness Jacqui Smith, minister of state for skills, and Catherine McKinnell, who is minister of state for school standards.
Smith had several high-profile jobs in Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s governments, including as Britain’s first female home secretary from 2007 to 2009. Her experience also includes a DfE role as schools minister from 2005 to 2006.
McKinnell, who had been shadow minister for schools since September, will be responsible for key issues such as ensuring Ofsted inspections are completed fairly, and teacher pay and retention.
The ministerial team is completed by Stephen Morgan and Janet Daby, who have taken on the early education; and children and families briefs respectively.
Read up on ministers in other departments here