Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell has been appointed as education secretary in a reshuffle by new prime minister Andy Burnham. The Manchester Central MP, who briefly served as shadow education secretary between 2015 and 2016, was leader of the House of Commons from 2024 to 2025. She said she was “absolutely thrilled the be appointed education secretary. “For me there’s no more important job for any government than making sure young people have the best education, the best opportunities and the best future they can. Lots to do and I look forward to getting started.” Bridget Phillipson “will remain a full member of cabinet as minister for women and equalities, reporting to the prime minister”, Downing Street said. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union congratulated Burnham and Powell on their appointments. But he warned the incoming team that “too many schools feel ill-equipped to go about their core business, let alone deliver changes to SEND support and the curriculum. “They are still struggling to set budgets and recruit and retain teachers, large parts of the school estate remain in a poor condition, and a circuit-breaker to fundamentally reset Ofsted inspections, which continue to pose real dangers to the health and wellbeing of school leaders and their staff, is urgently needed. “Addressing these things will need the buy-in of not just the education secretary but also the new PM and chancellor. “Amid so many competing demands, it’s absolutely vital that education is a top priority across government and receives the sustained investment it deserves, because little can be more important than children’s learning, wellbeing and life chances.” ‘Major challenge’ Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of leaders’ union ASCL, also welcomed Powell to her role. “She will face a major challenge in better matching the many expectations on schools and colleges with the resources necessary to deliver those expectations, as well as addressing the impact of an accountability system which is driving people out of the profession and damaging mental health and wellbeing. “It also seems likely that she will have the task of implementing a new direction in education policy.” He noted Burnham had said that a “complete rethink” of education is needed to build parity between academic and technical routes. “However, a great deal of policy detail is needed about how to turn those aspirations into reality. School and college leaders are absolutely ready and willing to be part of that process and we look forward to working with the new administration to shape a fairer future.” Tributes to Phillipson’s ‘progress’ Phillipson was a key ally of former PM Keir Starmer, contesting last year’s Labour deputy leadership election last week as Downing Street’s preferred candidate. She lost to Powell. The former education secretary posted today on X that she was “proud to be asked to continue in cabinet, driving forward the work of the Office for Equality and Opportunity. I will work across government to make progress on this serious agenda – on violence against women and girls, on equal pay, on child poverty.” She added she was “also proud of all we achieved at the Department for Education over the past two years to break the unfair link between background and success”. Starmer officially resigned this morning after Burnham was elected unopposed as Labour leader last week. Phillipson was appointed as shadow education secretary in 2021, serving until Labour won the 2024 general election. During her time as education secretary, she has overseen schools policy reforms including changes to Ofsted inspections, the curriculum and assessment review, the flagship children’s wellbeing and schools act, the schools white paper and SEND reforms. Whiteman paid tribute to Phillipson, saying during her time at the DfE, “considerable progress has been made”. “The education white paper set a vision for education that we have not seen for well over a decade, and there has been some new funding for schools, improvements to pay, action on poverty, and a commitment to finally grasping the nettle and reforming the broken SEND system. “Bridget has shown passion and commitment to schools, and while we thank her for her endeavours, we need the new government to commit to going further in ensuring schools are empowered and supported to deliver for pupils.” Di’Iasio said he was “sorry to see Bridget Phillipson leave the role of education secretary. “She has sought to work constructively with the education sector and has championed policies designed to support children who face the greatest challenges. “Those priorities reflect the values of school and college leaders who are striving every day to create a fairer society where opportunities are available to all and are not limited by background.” ‘Undermined by spending decisions’ However, “her ambitions have been undermined by public spending decisions which have left schools and colleges desperately short of the funding they need, and this has been compounded by the implementation of a flawed inspection system which is putting disproportionate pressure on education staff. “As a result, workforce morale is at rock bottom.” Powell takes on the brief at a critical moment. The SEND changes proposed will take effect over the next few years, and many key changes to education policy come into effect in September. Burnham has said recently that the country needs “a complete rethink of how we support the next generation to succeed, and it has to start with the education system. “The days of a school system configured entirely around the university route will be brought to an end.” This raises the prospect that Powell could reopen the curriculum and assessment review, despite draft programmes of study being due out for consultation later this year. This is a breaking news story that will be updated.