Nick Gibb to take on early years policy

Minister of State for School Standards Nick Gibb will take on policy for early education and childcare, the government has announced.

His duties will include funding, support for the early years workforce, curriculum, quality and the early education entitlements.

He will also add responsibility for PE and school sport and the Pupil Premium to his existing portfolio.

The government also announced that Minister for the School System, Lord Agnew, will take on responsibility for the further education provider market, including quality and improvement.

He will also lead on EU exit preparation, delivery of the Careers Strategy, the Opportunity Areas programme, school food and safeguarding in schools and post-16 settings, in addition to his existing brief.

Michelle Donelan has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families.

She takes on responsibility for children’s social care, special educational needs and disabilities – including high needs funding – disadvantage and social mobility and support for the home learning environment.

She will also continue to support the Secretary of State in his role as skills lead, including on the delivery of T-Levels, apprenticeships and adult education, in recognition of the important role technical education plays as the country prepares to leave the European Union.