Chichester MP Gillian Keegan ‘deeply honoured’ to be appointed Education Secretary

Mrs Keegan said: “It is a huge honour to have been appointed as Secretary of State for Education. I passionately believe that talent is equally spread across the country, yet opportunities are often not. I will work to ensure, life-long access to good quality education is available to everyone. I loved moving towards this goal when I served in the Department as the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills where I introduced T Levels, new Institutes of Technology, and many more new apprenticeship standards leading to exciting careers from health to space.

“Education changes lives – my career started with an apprenticeship, and it led me to an international business career. For many of my friends who also attended the failing comprehensive I did in Knowsley, the education system failed them. It shouldn’t matter where you live, or how old you are – everyone deserves opportunity.

“I am extremely grateful to the Prime Minister for entrusting me with such an important job, and I am excited to get started.”

The Conservative MP, who has represented Chichester since 2017, is the fifth education secretary in four months following Kit Malthouse, James Cleverly, Michelle Donelan, and Nadhim Zahawi.

Neighbouring MP for Arundel and the South Downs Andrew Griffith said: “Congratulations to my neighbour and West Sussex, colleague @GillianKeegan on becoming Secretary of State for Education.”

And Liberal Democrat district councillor Adrian Moss tweeted: “Congratulations Gillian.”

Mrs Keegan had been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office by former Prime Minister Liz Truss on September 7.

Before than she was Minister of State for Care at the Department of Health and Social Care between September 2021 and September 2022.

Her new job as Secretary of State for Education puts her in charge of the Department for Education, including: early years; children’s social care; teacher quality, recruitment and retention; the school curriculum; school improvement; academies and free schools; further education; apprenticeships and skills; and higher education.