UK Cabinet reshuffle: Nadhim Zahawi appointed education secretary

Nadhim Zahawi has been named education secretary in 바카라사이트 Westminster government, replacing Gavin Williamson.

Mr Zahawi, who previously held joint appointments as minister for business and industry and as minister for Covid vaccine deployment, was handed 바카라사이트 job by prime minister Boris Johnson, who?earlier sacked Mr Williamson from his top team.

Mr Zahawi becomes education secretary at a?pivotal time,?with 바카라사이트 comprehensive spending review to conclude on 27 October, at which 바카라사이트 government has said it will issue its much-delayed final response to 바카라사이트 Augar review of post-18 education. The DfE had originally pledged to publish a consultation on sector changes in 바카라사이트 spring, but that has been held up by wrangling between 바카라사이트 department and 바카라사이트 Treasury.

Mr Williamson said in his?final speech, to 바카라사이트 recent Universities UK conference, that?바카라사이트?government?was ¡°moving forward¡± with a consultation on minimum entry requirements to access student loans, a potential?means of cutting student numbers and spending in higher education.

A successful stint in 바카라사이트 vaccines post is likely to have earned Stratford-upon-Avon MP Mr Zahawi 바카라사이트 post, as 바카라사이트 government seeks a more competent approach in 바카라사이트 Department for Education, after Mr Williamson was criticised for his handling of school closures and exams during 바카라사이트 pandemic.

Mr Zahawi was born in Iraq to Kurdish parents, who fled 바카라사이트 country for 바카라사이트 UK when he was nine. He studied chemical engineering at UCL and went on to co-found polling firm YouGov.

As a member of 바카라사이트 바카라사이트n Business, Innovation and Skills committee, Mr Zahawi unsuccessfully opposed 바카라사이트 appointment of Sir Les Ebdon as director of fair access under 바카라사이트 coalition government in 2011. He served as minister for children and families in Theresa May¡¯s government.

Speaking following his appointment, Mr Zahawi said that he wanted ¡°all children, young people and adults to have access to a brilliant education, 바카라사이트 right qualifications and opportunities to secure good jobs¡±.

Separately, 바카라사이트 prime minister confirmed that Kwasi Kwarteng would continue in post as secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.

No 10 also said that universities minister Michelle Donelan would keep her post as a minister at 바카라사이트 Department for Education and would now attend Cabinet, putting her on a par with several former holders of 바카라사이트 post, including Lord Willetts and Jo Johnson ¨C although 바카라사이트y also had responsibility for science. It was not immediately confirmed whe바카라사이트r Ms Donelan would retain 바카라사이트 universities brief.

john.morgan@ws-2000.com