Jenny Chapman appointed as shadow childcare minister in Labour reshuffle
Labour MP Jenny Chapman has been appointed shadow childcare minister in party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s first reshuffle.
Prior to the reshuffle, Chapman had been shadow prisons and probation minister since 2011. She has a history of campaigning in Westminster, securing 480 Department of Education jobs in her constituency and fighting for a cap on payday loans.
Commenting on her new appointment, Chapman tweeted that she would “miss prisons and probation but [is] ready for a new challenge”, later adding that she is “looking forward to getting to grips with Shadow Childcare job”.
Chief executive Neil Leitch commented: ‘The Pre-school Learning Alliance welcomes the appointment of Jenny Chapman MP as shadow childcare minister. We look forward to developing a healthy working relationship with Ms Chapman, ensuring that the early years agenda remains a top priority for the opposition.’
As councillor for Cockerton West Ward in Darlington, Chapman served as chair of Darlington’s Children’s Trust and was lead member for Children’s Services at Darlington Borough Council between 2003 and 2010 when she was elected as the town’s MP.
As a governor of four local school and colleges, Chapman has been directly involved with child development throughout her career. She previously volunteered at Darlington Children’s Trust and has worked with several youth groups in the town.