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The new ministerial team at the Department for Education is taking shape following the appointment of education secretary Lucy Powell.

The reshuffle is taking place after Andy Burnham became prime minister on Monday, replacing Sir Keir Starmer.

Ms Powell’s predecessor Bridget Phillipson retained her role as minister for women and equalities, which she previously carried out alongside her education role. She will report into the prime minister.

Georgia Gould retained as DfE minister

It has been confirmed that Georgia Gould, who has been working as schools minister, will continue to be a minister of state for the DfE.

However, her specific brief is yet to be officially outlined.

Since first joining the DfE as the minister for school standards in September 2025, Ms Gould has led the government’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms.

Her work leading the DfE’s SEND public engagement events - designed to show that the DfE listened to teachers and leaders when developing the reforms - has generally been well-received by the sector.

Her large brief has also covered school inspection, regional improvement for standards and excellence, initial teacher training and incentives, curriculum, and teacher pay and pensions.

Baroness Smith of Malvern keeps skills

Jacqui Smith, minister for skills across the DfE and Department for Work and Pensions, will keep her role.

She is also minister for women and equalities, working alongside Ms Phillipson.

Olivia Bailey is out

Olivia Bailey has been sacked from her role as early education minister.

She replaced Stephen Morgan as minister for early education in September 2025, after being elected as the MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire in July 2024.

Former journalist Paul Waugh appointed minister

Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale and former editor of PoliticsHome, has been appointed as a junior DfE minister but his brief has not been confirmed.

Josh MacAlister retained

Josh MacAlister replaced Janet Daby as minister for children and families in September 2025, and will be staying at the DfE as a junior minister. While it is assumed he will keep his old brief, this had not been confirmed at the time of writing.

Before his appointment, Mr MacAlister led the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and was the chief executive of the social work charity Frontline.

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