Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Lucy Powell has been appointed education secretary by prime minister Andy Burnham, returning to government less than a year after she was sacked by Keir Starmer. The Labour deputy leader succeeds Bridget Phillipson, who had held the role since Labour entered government in July 2024 and who will remain in cabinet as minister for women and equalities. Powell previously served as shadow education secretary between 2015 and 2016 and was a member of the Commons education committee from 2017 to 2020. She later served as leader of the House of Commons before being removed from government in September 2025. In a post on X, Powell said she was “thrilled” to have been appointed education secretary. “For me there’s no more important job for any government than making sure young people have the best education, the best opportunities and the best future they can. Lots to do and I look forward to getting started”. During a debate on the technical and further education bill in 2016, Powell warned that “pernicious and deep cuts” to FE and technical education had caused lasting damage and left England behind international competitors on post-16 funding. She also raised concerns about creating a binary divide between academic and technical education that would force 16-year-olds to choose between the two routes. Burnham has repeatedly stated his intention to raise the parity of technical education in his role as mayor of Greater Manchester and in the run-up to becoming prime minister. As an education committee member, Powell worked on inquiries into apprenticeships, college funding and adult skills. She will now inherit responsibility for colleges, 16-to-19 education, technical qualifications, major SEND reforms and higher education. Her immediate post-16 challenges include overseeing the introduction of the first V Levels from September 2027, implementing new level 2 qualifications and managing continuing pressure over college finances, pay and workforce shortages. Pepe DiIasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Prime minister Andy Burnham has said that a ‘complete rethink’ of education is needed which builds parity between academic and technical routes and provides every young person with great opportunities. This is particularly important as we currently have one million young people who are not in education, employment, or training. “However, a great deal of policy detail is needed about how to turn those aspirations into reality. School and college leaders are absolutely ready and willing to be part of that process and we look forward to working with the new administration to shape a fairer future.” Responsibility for adult education, apprenticeships and Skills England was transferred from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions last September. Powell will work alongside Pat McFadden, who has been reappointed as work and pensions secretary, to deliver the government’s post-16 education and skills reforms. Appointments for ministers of state and junior ministers are expected in the coming days. Baroness Jacqui Smith currently holds the skills brief as a joint minister across DfE and DWP. Powell was elected Labour deputy leader last year following her dismissal from government, with Burnham publicly supporting her campaign. She studied for A Levels at Xaverian College, a Catholic sixth-form college in Manchester. A spokesperson from the Sixth Form Colleges Association said: “Lucy is a longstanding champion of sixth form education and is a former sixth form college student. We know that the new secretary of state values, understands and appreciates the transformative power of 16-19 education and we look forward to working with her in the years ahead”.