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Cabinet reshuffle – what does this mean?

Lindsay Plumpton

By: Lindsay Plumpton

Communications Leader

Thursday 17 July 2014

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This week has seen a flurry of ministerial movements across government and Prime Minister David Cameron has commented that he is proud to lead "a fresh team with the idea, the energy and the ability to take this country forward."

The reshuffle shows a real move to the Right policy wise, possibly as a reaction to losing Conservative voters to UKIP in the recent European elections.

As far as education is concerned, there have been some significant changes including Michael Gove being replaced by former Treasury Minister Nicky Morgan as Education Secretary.

There’s no doubt that Mr Gove has been a controversial figure in David Cameron's government, driving through a number of exam reforms which have not been well received by teaching staff or unions. In contrast, Gove’s successor is a relatively unknown figure. Could Gove’s removal from this role be a populist move to appeal to voters as the general election approaches?

And with this in mind, with so little time until the election, will the new Education Secretary have the appetite (or opportunity) to really change the direction of the reforms which are currently progressing in education?

It’s also worth noting that Matthew Hancock is no longer Minister for Skills & Enterprise, replaced by Nick Boles (MP for Grantham and Stamford). Mr Hancock however will keep the ‘enterprise’ elements of his former brief in his new role.

At NCFE, we look forward to working with the new ministers. Our challenge now as a sector is to show the new ministers the great and transformative work the FE & Skills sector does in transforming learners’ lives.

What do you think of the changes? Let us know your thoughts. 

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