The prime minister has set about appointing a new cabinet in the wake of 59 resignations this week of ministers and parliamentary aides.
It is unclear when he will leave as prime minister, as he has said he intends to remain in the job until a new leader is elected in October.
One of Johnson’s first appointments was to make James Cleverly education secretary – the third in two days, after Michelle Donelan resigned her post after just 35 hours in the job.
Quince is currently the only minister in the Department for Education. Schools minister Robin Walker, and skills minister Alex Burghart quit on Wednesday. Donelan was previously higher education and further education minister before being promoted to education secretary earlier this week.
Quince was previously an under-secretary of state as children and families minister, but has now been promoted to a minister of state.
The Department for Education was unable to confirm whether he was returning to the same role and responsibilities, although this does appear unlikely given that the children and families job was previously a junior ministerial position.
Other department appointments are yet to be made.
On Twitter Quince said, ‘In my letter on Wednesday I set out how hard it was stepping away from a job that I love, working every day to improve the life chances of children and young people. Pending the appointment of a new PM in the coming weeks, I have been asked to serve in HM Government.
‘I care passionately about the work of the Department for Education. At this crucial time for our country, I believe it is my duty to use my @educationgovuk experience to assist the new Secretary of State @JamesCleverly to deliver on our vital work for our nation’s children.’
Quince resigned as children and families minister on Wednesday, after he defended the prime minister on television.
He said he had received ‘inaccurate reports’ before his media round on Monday in which he was asked what Boris Johnson had known about previous allegations against disgraced MP Chris Pincher.
Quince defended the prime minister in interviews and said he resigned because he used false information that he had been given by Number 10.
