Cleverly in as education secretary amid Westminster drama

James Cleverly has been appointed as the new education secretary, during a turbulent week at Westminster which has seen an extraordinary turnover of ministers at the Department for Education (DfE). At one point on 7 July Baroness Barran, the minster for the school system, was the sole minister in place at the DfE following a string of moves and resignations.

A remarkable 48 hours began with Nadhim Zahawi being promoted to chancellor of the exchequer on the evening of 5 July and succeeded by Michelle Donelan, formerly the minister for higher and further education. However Ms Donelan was in post for barely 36 hours before she resigned in protest at Boris Johnson’s leadership, making her the shortest serving education secretary of all time. Mr Zahawi himself had been in post for less than a year, and was the shortest holder of the office since Patrick Gordon Walker in 1967-68 until Ms Donelan’s momentary tenure. James Cleverly then became the third secretary of state in the space of three days.

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Cleverly said that ‘as someone whose grandfather was a teacher and whose children are currently in the education system, I am incredibly passionate about education and proud to be appointed secretary of state. From childcare and exams results, to our schools white paper, T-levels and the rest of our revolutionary skills agenda, we have a huge amount of work to do and I am looking forward to getting on with the job. That means ensuring children, young people and their families continue to be supported – they have my full commitment.’

Elsewhere at the DfE junior ministers Will Quince (minister for children and families), Robin Walker (minister for school standards) and Alex Burghart (minister for skills) all also quit their posts in protest at Boris Johnson’s leadership. Will Quince has subsequently rejoined the department as a minister of state, and MPs Brendan Clarke-Smith and Andrea Jenkyns have been appointed as junior ministers. 

The churn of ministerial appointments comes at a key time for the education sector. Legislation to change the way schools are regulated is currently making its way through parliament, the consultation on the government’s SEND review closes later this month, and the results of the first formal exams in three years are due to be released next month. The upcoming pay awards for teaching staff also have the potential to be contentious. Prior to his departure Nadhim Zahawi had proposed for new teachers to receive a nine per cent rise next year, with a three per cent rise for all others, but there is now speculation as to whether he will remain committed to these figures in his new role. For his part Mr Zahawi has said he will wait for the recommendations of the pay review bodies before making any decisions.

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