Kelly Tolhurst leaves early years role at DfE
By Rachel Lawler
Kelly Tolhurst has left her role as minister for schools and childhood at the Department for Education (DfE) as part of a wider reshuffle of the cabinet by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The change comes shortly after Kit Malthouse was replaced by Gillian Keegan as education secretary.
Writing on Twitter, Tolhurst said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a privilege to serve as minister for schools and childhood. I have decided that now more than ever, with the challenges we face I want to focus on supporting and helping the people of Rochester and Strood, representing my constituents and businesses from the backbenches.鈥
More change at the DfE
Other changes at the DfE have seen Nick Gibb return as minister of state, having previously worked in the department from 2014-2021.
Writing on Twitter, Gibb said: 鈥淎n hour to be asked by the PM to return to the DfE. Looking forward to helping deliver the PM鈥檚 ambitious plans for ever higher standards in schools and world class technical education.鈥
Robert Halfon, who has previously served as chair of the select committee, also joins the department as a minister of state. Claire Coutinho has also joined the department as parliamentary under secretary of state.
It has not yet been confirmed which minister will be taking on responsibility for the early years.