Gillian Keegan has been appointed as the new education secretary by Rishi Sunak in the cabinet reshuffle.
New PM Rishi Sunak has named Gillian Keegan Secretary of State for Education.
In a little more than a year, the Chichester MP has served as education secretary five times, succeeding Kit Malthouse.
Leaders in education have a history of stability and continuity, and they have acknowledged the urgency of the sector’s difficulties.
On her appointment, Keegan said, ‘I’m deeply honoured to have been appointed as Secretary of State for Education by the PM.
‘Education transforms lives – I know that talent is spread equally around the country, and I will work tirelessly to ensure opportunity also.’
2015 saw her elected as the Chichester MP.
Keegan, who worked in the Department of Education from 2020 to 2021 as the junior minister in charge of apprenticeships and skills, is working there again.
In Liz Truss’ administration, Keegan served as a minister in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.
Prior to that, she held the position of minister of state, overseeing care, at the Department of Health and Social Care.
Keegan is the fifth education secretary this year and the ninth in the past ten years, according to Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT union for school leaders.
‘Education is far too important to be subjected to such damaging levels of instability,’ he said. ‘The challenges facing schools are urgent and are affecting the lives and life-chances of millions of children, right now.
Recent analysis indicates that this administration will fall about £2 billion short of its commitment to fund education. The new Education Secretary has just days to come to grips with the reality of the situation facing schools, listen to the profession, and make a compelling case to the Treasury for the funding that is so desperately needed. The “Halloween Budget” is looming, and further cuts are implied by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
