Cumbrian MP Josh MacAlister feels ‘enormous privilege’ after being appointed to the Department of Eduction as Prime Minister Kier Starmer continues to shuffle his cabinet.

The former teacher has joined the Department of Education as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

The Whitehaven and Workington MP said: “It is an enormous privilege to be asked by the Prime Minister to serve as a Minister in the Department for Education.

“It is a responsibility I take on with the experiences of children and families here in West Cumbria always at the front of my mind.

“Many of you will know that my professional life before entering politics was shaped by a commitment to children and young people.

“As a teacher, charity CEO, and as chair of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, in which I called for major reforms and new investment to ensure every child can grow up in a safe, stable and loving home.”

Before entering politics Josh trained as a teacher through the Teach First Programme and worked in Stockport.

From his time there and working with children with experience in the care system he launched Frontline with the Department of Eduction funding it with £45 million in 2019.

In 2021 he stepped down from Frontline to chair an independent review of children’s social care with the final report being published in 2022.

In his announcement Josh MacAlister mentioned this review saying: “Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £2.1 billion at the Spending Review to enact many of the reforms I called for in my review.

“I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, the ministerial team at the DfE and colleagues from across government to deliver big and positive change for the most vulnerable children in West Cumbria and across the country.”