Former schools minister Jacqui Smith returns to DfE

Former home secretary is set to receive a peerage and become part of Bridget Phillipson's team.

Former government official will be awarded a noble title and will be joining Bridget Phillipson's staff.

Jacqui Smith, who previously served as a schools minister and home secretary, has now become a part of Bridget Phillipson's team at the Department for Education.

The ex-Labour Member of Parliament, shown in the photo with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is set to receive a peerage and will now serve as the education team's minister in the House of Lords. This position was previously held by Baroness Barran until yesterday.

During the previous administration, Barran held the position of minister of state for education, where she was responsible for overseeing policies regarding academies and school structures, as well as managing capital funding and other related matters.

Yet, Iain Dale, who co-hosts a podcast with Smith, has written on X that her position will involve managing "abilities, additional education, and advanced education".

Every area of the government has a representative in the House of Lords who manages all corresponding matters in the higher chamber, meaning Smith would probably be in charge of guiding any educational legislation.

Chosen as the Member of Parliament for Redditch in 1997, Smith held positions as a junior education minister from 1999 to 2001, followed by roles as a health and industry minister. She then resumed her role as schools minister from 2005 to 2006, before being appointed as chief whip for a year and later serving as home secretary for two years.

Other individuals who are part of the DfE ministerial team have not been identified yet.