Yvonne Fovargue gets shadow education post in Labour’s mini-reshuffle

The new shadow education minister responsible for FE and skills has been named as Yvonne Fovargue.

Ms Fovargue’s appointment comes as part of what is being described as a “mini-reshuffle” to replace former shadow minister Rushanara Ali, who resigned at the end of last month after refusing to support her party’s stance on military action in Iraq.

Ms Forvague has been the Labour MP for Makerfield, Greater Manchester, since the 2010 general election and has served in three government positions on the opposition benches, with two years as shadow transport minister between 2011 and 2013 and a brief spell as opposition whip under her belt.

She was appointed as shadow defence secretary last year and her move to the education brief was announced last night.

Also in the reshuffle, Pat McFadden became shadow Europe minister, replacing Gareth Thomas who moved within the shadow foreign and commonwealth team to become shadow minister for North Africa and the Middle East, and Ian Lucas moved from foreign affairs to defence.