Helen Hayes named new shadow children and early years minister

The appointment was made over the weekend by Keir Starmer, as he  finalised the Labour reshuffle.

Hayes, the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, is taking on the job after her predecessor’s six years in the role.

She said on Twitter, ‘I’m delighted to be joining the Shadow Education Team led by @bphillipsonMP as Shadow Minister for Children & Early Years. Few things are more important than giving every child the best start in life. My thanks to my friend & predecessor @TulipSiddiq who leaves big shoes to fill!’

Hayes was elected in the 2015 general election in Tessa Jowell’s former constituency.

Before becoming an MP she was a town planner.

Hayes was shadow minister for the Cabinet Office from April to December 2020.

She is co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for adult social care, and sits on several other APPGs, including the APPG for autism and the APPG for kinship care.

She is married and has two children.

Siddiq has been promoted to shadow economic secretary (shadow city minister).

She said on Twitter, ‘After nearly six years as shadow early years minister, I’m pleased to be taking on the role of shadow economic secretary from @patmcfaddenmp.

‘I’m looking forward to a new challenge in Shadow Chancellor @RachelReevesMP’s team.

‘As shadow minister for children and early years, I have also fought for better support for vulnerable children, looked after children, children with SEND and those eligible for free school meals.

‘Thanks to all the campaigners and organisations who supported me in this work.

‘I know my successor @helenhayes will so an amazing job of standing up for children and those working to support them, and I wish her and the new shadow education secretary @bphillipsonMP well.

‘I pay tribute to @Kate GreenSU who was a fantastic boss and advocate for children.’

Meanwhile, Stephen Morgan. MP for Portsmouth South, has been named as the new shadow schools minister, completing the reshuffle of Labour’s shadow education team.

Commenting, Purnima Tanuku, chief executive, the National Day Nurseries Association, said, ‘This is a crucial time for the early years sector as they continue to work throughout the pandemic to support children’s early education and development. The new Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Shadow Early Years Minister will have a lot to focus on and we would like to welcome both Bridget Phillipson and Helen Hayes to these important roles.

‘At NDNA, we want to see all children flourish through excellent early years education and care and we look forward to working with the new team on this agenda.

‘We wish Tulip Siddiq well in her new role, she has been a strong advocate for all children and providers in the early years sector.’

Who's who in the new shadow education team

Shadow education secretary - Bridget Phillipson

Shadow schools minister - Stephen Morgan

Shadow minister for children and early years - Helen Hayes

The following roles are unchanged

Shadow education minister (House of Lords) - Lord Mike Watson

Shadow skills minister - Toby Perkins

Shadow minister for further education and universities - Matt Western