Bridget Phillipson has been appointed as education secretary in Sir Keir Starmer’s first Labour cabinet.

The move was widely expected as the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South has been Labour’s education lead since 2021.

She joined the Labour Party at the age of 15 and became MP for Houghton and Sunderland South in 2010, serving as an opposition whip under Ed Miliband.

The new education secretary will be taking the lead on Labour’s manifesto education pledges, which include a proposal to create 3,300 new school-based nurseries. The party has also pledged to deliver 100,000 extra childcare places to meet the demand from the expansion plan started by the Conservatives, a policy Labour has pledged to continuing to commit to. 

Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said:

“We welcome the news that Bridget Philipson has been appointed as education secretary and look forward to continuing to work closely with her in this role.   

“For far too long, the early years has not been given the same respect or recognition as schools, colleges or universities, and has been largely viewed by policymakers as a vehicle to support parents to work, rather than a critical part of the education system.  

“As such, we look forward to working with Ms Phillipson going forward to support the development of a comprehensive long-term strategy for the sector that ensures that early years providers are realistically funded, supported and, crucially, valued.”  

Purnima Tanuku OBE, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association said: “Education starts with the learning and development that takes place in the first five years. We look forward to working with the new Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as our children’s early education and care must be a top priority.

“Labour has committed to improved outcomes for children in early years, supporting best practice in maths and finding ways to deliver the promised expansion in funded places by next September.

“We want to see the new government work together with the sector in tackling challenges facing providers on funding, workforce, meeting children’s needs and regulation. Our manifesto for early education and care addresses solutions where the sector can work with the Government to deliver the high-quality early education and care we all want to see for our youngest children.

“Investing in children makes a difference that lasts a lifetime. The first five years of a child’s life count and when it comes to building for the future, the foundations are laid in the early years.”