Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell has left her post as schools minister under Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle, saying she declined the chance to remain in the Government
Catherine McKinnell makes a statement on school accountability and intervention in the House of Commons(Image: Parliament TV)
A Newcastle MP has left the Government following the reshuffle sparked by Angela Rayner’s resignation. Catherine McKinnell has exited the ministerial post she has held in the Department for Education since last year’s general election.
The Labour MP for Newcastle North said she had been offered another role as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s reshuffle but chose to resign. The Government changes followed Ms Rayner’s departure as deputy prime minister and housing secretary last Friday over a row surrounding underpayment of stamp duty on an £800,000 flat.
Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson remains education secretary, while Tynemouth MP Sir Alan Campbell has moved from being chief whip to leader of the House of Commons.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, which she posted on social media, Ms McKinnell said it had been an “honour” to serve as the first female schools minister in almost two decades. She wrote: “I have spent most of my years in Parliament serving in shadow ministerial, ministerial and parliamentary roles, and whilst I was honoured to be offered a role to remain in Government, I have made the decision to resign during this reshuffle.
“I hope in the future I may be able to serve again in a role through which I can make a difference.
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“As an MP, my favourite part of the job has always been visiting schools in my constituency – seeing the outstanding work that dedicated teachers and support staff do day in, day out, witnessing the pride pupils have in their schools, and knowing the difference that a high-quality education can make to children’s life chances.
“In Government, I am so proud of what we have been able to achieve delivering two pay rises for teachers, launching our expert-led Curriculum and Assessment Review, working towards recruiting 6,500 new teachers, ensuring all teachers are qualified, reinstating the SSSNB for support staff, bringing down the cost of school uniforms, and starting work on reforming the broken SEND system.
“The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill I led through Parliament is one of the most significant pieces of education legislation in decades and will start that journey of long-term change that we were elected to deliver in education.
“So when I return to Parliament next week, I will do so for the first time as a backbench Labour MP under a Labour government. Whether on fighting for the transport investment we need in the North East, making the NHS fit for the future, or bringing jobs, skills and growth to our city, I will be ready to keep fighting for my community in Newcastle North the place I was born, where my children are growing up, and that I am proud to call home.”
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