Tulip Siddiq reappointed shadow early years minister

The Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn had held the post since January, for the second time.

Tulip Siddiq MP said, 'I’m really pleased that Keir Starmer has asked me to stay on as Shadow Early Years Minister and added responsibility for children to my brief.

'This is an extremely challenging time for nurseries, childminders and other childcare providers. With parents’ fees drying up and rents continuing, I know many face an existential threat and are finding it difficult to stay open for key workers and vulnerable children in this crisis. I will continue to do everything I can to push for more support for early years settings and help the parents who rely on them.

'I look forward to working with the Government and the early years sector to help children, parents and childcare providers through this crisis, and beyond.'

Rebecca Long-Bailey was last week named shadow education secretary, replacing Angela Rayner who has been elected deputy leader of the Labour Party. 

The rest of the shadow ministerial team, appointed last week, are Margaret Greenwood (Schools), Emma Hardy (FE and Universities), and Toby Perkins (Apprenticeships and Life-long learning).

Elected an MP in the 2015 general election, Ms Siddiq was first appointed shadow early years minister in October 2016 before quitting in January 2017 over Article 50.

She served as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Childcare and Early Education from its launch in September 2017 until December 2019.

Before becoming an MP, Ms Siddiq was a local councillor and cabinet member at Camden Council, with responsibility for community centres.

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said, ‘We warmly welcome Tulip’s reappointment as shadow children and early years minister. In this role, and in her previous position as chair of the APPG for childcare and early education, she has demonstrated a clear willingness to engage with the early years sector, and an understanding of the key concerns of childcare providers.

‘With the sector currently facing huge challenges in light of the coronavirus outbreak, now more than ever we need a strong opposition to hold the Government to account. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Tulip to ensure that providers get the support they need to get through this difficult period and beyond.’