New Secretary of State

Thursday 16 December 2004

Ruth Kelly is replacing Charles Clarke as Secretary of State for Education.

Ruth Kelly has been appointed as Secretary of State for Education and Skills, replacing Charles Clarke, who was appointed Home Secretary.

Ruth Kelly joined the Cabinet Office as Minister for the Cabinet Office in September 2004 after three years at HM Treasury where she was, successively, Economic Secretary and, from May 2002, Financial Secretary.

Ruth Kelly was educated at Queen's College, Oxford, and the LSE, where she gained an MSc in Economics. She worked on The Guardian as an economics writer in the early 90s before joining the Bank of England. Ruth was elected to Parliament as Member for Bolton in the 1997 General Election and the following year became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Nick Brown at the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Stephen Twigg has been appointed as Minister of State for School Standards, replacing David Miliband. He was appointed to the Department for Education and Skills in June 2002. In his previous role as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools his responsibilities included raising standards in London schools, primary education, rural schools, ethnic minority achievement and pupil well being, including school meals and uniform.

Stephen Twigg has been Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate since May 1997, and previously worked as the Deputy Leader to the House of Commons, where he was appointed in June 2001.

Derek Twigg has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools. Derek Twigg was appointed to the Chief Whip's Office in June 2002, previously serving as Parliamentary Private Secretary to two ministers, firstly to Helen Liddell MP as Minister of State for Energy, and then to Stephen Byers MP as Secretary of State for Transport and the Regions.