Stephen Morgan MP has been appointed as minister with responsibility for the early years.

Morgan, the MP for Portsmouth South, served as shadow schools minister from December 2021 until September 2023.

In the 2023 shadow cabinet reshuffle Catherine McKinnell returned to the frontbench as shadow schools minister, replacing Morgan.

Prior to entering Parliament, Morgan worked across the charity sector and local government.

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

“We welcome Stephen Morgan as minister with responsibility for the early years. 

“There’s no question that Mr Morgan begins this role at a particularly challenging time for the sector, with providers continuing to face severe staffing shortages and significant underfunding in the run-up to the next phase of the entitlement expansion. 

“As such, we look forward to working closely with him to ensure that the views, needs and concerns of providers are represented at the highest level, and that our sector finally gets the respect, recognition and support it both needs and deserves.”  

Purnima Tanuku OBE, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)  said “The early education and care is an inspiring sector, shaping the future of our youngest children. Providers and practitioners work tirelessly to support children in their development, offering much needed reassurance to parents. We look forward to working with the new Minister Stephen Morgan on giving children the best start in life through high-quality early education and care.

“The Minister takes up his role at a time when the sector is facing a number of challenges ahead of expansion. We want to work with him and the team to offer constructive solutions to some of the challenges providers face on the frontline.

“If we make the first five years count we know that it improves outcomes for children, shapes their lifelong learning and boosts the economy.”