![\"Catherine](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_hool-accountability-and-intervention-in-the-House-of-CommonsJPG.jpg\")
Catherine McKinnell makes a statement on school accountability and intervention in the House of Commons(Image: Parliament TV)<\/p>\nNewcastle 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 GovernmentCatherine McKinnell makes a statement on school accountability and intervention in the House of Commons(Image: Parliament TV)<\/p>\n
A Newcastle MP has left the Government following the reshuffle sparked by Angela Rayner\u2019s resignation. Catherine McKinnell<\/a> has exited the ministerial post she has held in the Department for Education<\/a> since last year\u2019s general election.<\/p>\n The Labour<\/a> MP for Newcastle North said she had been offered another role as part of Sir Keir Starmer\u2019s reshuffle<\/a> but chose to resign. The Government changes followed Ms Rayner\u2019s departure as deputy prime minister and housing secretary last Friday over a row surrounding underpayment of stamp duty on an \u00a3800,000 flat.<\/p>\n Houghton and Sunderland<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n In a letter to the Prime Minister, which she posted on social media, Ms McKinnell said it had been an \u201chonour\u201d to serve as the first female schools minister in almost two decades. She wrote: \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n “I hope in the future I may be able to serve again in a role through which I can make a difference.<\/p>\n Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here<\/a>. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an MP, my favourite part of the job has always been visiting schools in my constituency \u2013 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\u2019s life chances.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cSo 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<\/a> 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.\u201d<\/p>\n ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.<\/p>\n We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we’ll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!<\/p>\n To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.<\/p>\n If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our privacy notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Court & Crime community<\/a><\/p>\n Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Northumberland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our County Durham community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Sunderland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Great North Run community<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3_GettyImages-586113546jpgt.jpg\")
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