Coutinho, who has held the position at the Department for Education for less than a year, replaces Grant Shapps who has is now defence secretary, succeeding Ben Wallace.
Reports suggests that the MP for Wantage, David Johnstone is taking over as children’s minister, making him the fifth person to hold the role in just under two years.
The Early Years Alliance congratulated Coutinho on her promotion, but said the ‘never-ending revolving door of ministers is beyond frustrating for the sector.’
Chief executive Neil Leitch explained, ‘The fact that Government expects providers to put up with a never-ending revolving door of ministers is bad enough, but to do so as the sector prepares to roll out its biggest early years expansion in recent history is bordering on negligent.
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