Coutinho cabinet reshuffle causes concern at crucial moment for the early years sector
by Jess Gibson
Rishi Sunak has confirmed that Claire Coutinho, Conservative MP and former children, families and wellbeing minister, has been promoted to the cabinet.
Coutinho is now energy security and net zero secretary following the promotion of fellow Conservative MP Grant Schapps to defence secretary, making her the youngest member of cabinet.
Conservative MP David Johnston has been confirmed as children, families and wellbeing minister, taking over Claire Coutinho's remit. Prior to this, he was chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, a charity that supports young people from low-income backgrounds with a range of programmes; director of future, a charity organisation working with young people; and coordinator of the Oxford Access Scheme, which runs residential programmes for 10 to 18 year olds.
Johnston is currently a governor at Pimlico Academy 鈥 a London secondary school 鈥 as well as a governor at a sixth form college in London. In addition, he is on the board of an Oxfordshire-based organisation for 11-16-year-olds.
The move comes on the cusp of an early years expansion rollout in September 鈥 described by politicians as 鈥渢he biggest investment in early years鈥 鈥 prompting concern about the choice of timing.
Commenting, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the 无码天堂, said:鈥
鈥淲hile we congratulate Claire Coutinho on her promotion, the fact that the early years will soon be on its tenth minister in as many years is beyond frustrating for the sector.鈥
鈥淭he fact that the government expects providers to put up with a never-ending revolving door of ministers is bad enough, but to do so as the sector prepares to roll out its biggest early years expansion in recent history is bordering on negligent."
Following the announcement about David Johnston's appointment, Leitch continued: 鈥
"We welcome David Johnston as the new minister for children, families, and wellbeing, and look forward to working with him in his new role.
"There's no question that Mr Johnston takes on this role at a crucial and challenging time for the sector. Not only are providers preparing themselves for the biggest expansion of the early entitlement in recent history but the sector is facing its most difficult time in decades 鈥 with nurseries, pre-schools and childminders closing their doors in record numbers and educators leaving the sector in their droves."
"We hope that David Johnston can be both an advocate for the early years sector and ensure that, at an incredibly important time for the sector, it is at the very top of the government's priority list."