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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has appointed Tulip Siddiq as shadow minister for the early years as part of his latest cabinet reshuffle.

 

Tulip is MP for Hampstead and Kilburn and has previously worked as a local councillor at Camden Council with responsibility for community centres and libraries. She has also worked for Amnesty International and Save the Children where she focused on human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

 

Tulip was elected in the 2015 general election and was officially appointed as shadow early years minister on 9 October 2016.

 

“I am honoured to have been appointed as the shadow minister for early years education,” Tulip said in a blog on her website.

 

“Countless constituents have expressed serious concerns over the government’s early years agenda. Whether it is the new funding formula, the promise of 30 hours free childcare per week or the closure of Sure Start centres, local residents deserve a robust defence of their children’s futures. I look forward to delivering it.”

 

Further appointments in the shadow education team include Emma Lewell-Buck – MP for South Shields – as shadow minister for children and families, Mike Kane – MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East – as shadow schools minister, and Gordon Marsden – MP for Blackpool South – as shadow minister for higher and further education and skills.

 

Neil Leitch, chief executive at the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said that he welcomes the news and looks forward to working closely with Tulip on developing Labour's early years policy and ensuring that the voice and concerns of the sector are heard in parliament. 

 

“The coming months hold a number of significant changes for the sector, particularly in relation to the planned roll-out of the 30 hour free entitlement offer, the imminent launch of the government’s early years workforce and life chances strategies, and the publication of a revised EYFS Framework," Neil said.

 

"It is therefore crucial that the government faces a strong opposition in order to challenge their decisions, as well as to hold them to account."