Nursery World - Kelly Tolhurst named the new minister for schools and childhood

The DfE’s new minister Kelly Tolhurst has been given the joint brief of schools and childcare, responsibilities that were previously split between two ministers.

Kelly Tolhurst, MP, is the new schools and childhood minister, PHOTO GOV.UK

The Department for Education has today confirmed that Kelly Tolhurst is the new schools and childhood minister.

Tolhurst who was appointed a minister within the Department for Education by the Prime Minister Liz Truss earlier this month, takes on the brief of childcare from former junior minister Brendan-Clark Smith who has been moved to the Cabinet Office, and the brief of school standards from Will Quince who is now at the Department for Health and Social Care.

It is the first time in five years that a minister of state has been responsible for childcare policy. In 2017, Robert Goodwill was the senior minister responsible for early years, children in care, child protection, SEND, school funding and free school meals.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included