The announcement comes just over a month since Ms Badenoch was appointed as the new children and families minister in Boris Johnson’s first cabinet.
Today the Department for Education confirmed that Ms Donelan, the MP for Chippenham since 2015, will assume the role while Kemi Badenoch is on maternity leave.
Originally from Cheshire, Ms Donelan has campaigned for fairer funding for schools and support for young families.
She is favour of academy schools and has consistently voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits.
Ms Donelan is a trustee of Help Victims of Domestic Violence, a charitable organisation based in her constituency and a member of the steering group of Wiltshire Carers.
Before entering politics she worked in marketing and the media and entertainment industry.
