Early years minister role still vacant

At the time that Nursery World went to press (Thursday), the Department for Education had yet to confirm who would replace Ms Dinenage.

It is also unclear whether there will continue to be a dedicated early years minister, or if another minister in the DfE will take on the brief along with their other responsibilities.

As part of Theresa May’s reshuffle, Ms Dinenage, MP for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head, has been appointed to the role of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

On Twitter, Ms Dinenage said, ‘Excited for new challenges @DWP but will miss all my great friends at @WomenEqualities & @educationgovuk.’

Justine Greening has retained her role as education secretary.

New ministerial appointments at the DfE include MPs Anne Milton and Robert Goodwill, but their briefs have not yet been confirmed.

However, it is believed that Ms Milton, MP for Guildford, will take over from Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, as apprenticeships and skills minister following his sacking.

Ms Milton was due to give a keynote speech at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers’ national conference in London on Monday (26 June).

Mr Halfon confirmed on social media that he had been removed from the role, which he had held since last July.

Writing on Twitter as @Halfon4harlow, he said, ‘It’s been an honour to have served as Apprenticeships Minister. I’m proud we have a record 900K apprentices & to have passed the FE/TE Bill.’

Ms Milton was previously deputy chief whip and before that a junior minister at the Department of Health. Prior to her career in politics, she trained as a nurse and worked in the NHS for 25 years.

It is thought that the former immigration minister Mr Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, will take on the brief as minister for vulnerable children and families. The position was previously held by Edward Timpson, who lost his seat in the general election.

Mr Goodwill previously voted against the Dubs Amendment, a scheme to provide support and sanctuary to lone children fleeing war in Syria.