Robin Walker, MP for Worcester, and Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, both of whom have served as the minister for school standards, are nominated for the role now that Halfon has been appointed as a minister within the Department for Education (DfE).
The vacancy has arisen following the resignation of Halfon and his appointment as minister of state at the DfE on 26 October.
A third MP, David Simmonds, is also up for the position of chair.
The chair must be held by a member of the Conservative party, while the membership of the committee is cross-party and is made up of 10 MPs.
Nominations run until 15 November. A vote is then held to decide who will be chair of the committee.
The MPs so far nominated for the role are:
- Robin Walker, MP for Worcester
- Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North
- David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
In his candidate statement, Walker, who served as the minister for school standards from 2021 to 2022, says he wants the ‘Committee to do more on childcare, safeguarding and the cost pressures facing schools and families.’
Former teacher Gullis, who also served as minister for school standards for seven weeks during September and October when Liz Truss was prime minister, states, ‘I believe education is the key to levelling up life chances. If children and families, especially those who are disadvantaged, are not equipped with the knowledge, skills and support they need, then generations will have been failed.’
- Full membership of the committee and more information is available here
