Jacqui Smith retains skills minister role in Burnham government

Jacqui Smith has been reappointed as skills minister in Andy Burnham’s new government, retaining a role that spans the Department of Education (DfE) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The decision was announced late on 21 July, a day after it was confirmed that deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell would be replacing Bridget Phillipson as education secretary.

Writing on social media, Smith said she was “chuffed” to have been reappointed and had “absolutely loved being the minister for skills across DfE and DWP with responsibility for apprenticeships, FE and HE”. 

Smith was first appointed as an education minister in the DfE in 2024 as part of Keir Starmer’s Labour government. The former MP was given a peerage in the House of Lords to allow her to take the role.

In September 2025, a Cabinet reshuffle saw Smith’s role split between the DfE and DWP as responsibility for skills moved to the latter. 

Skills became a greater focus for Starmer’s government as youth unemployment figures continued to rise and the number of out-of-work young people hit record levels. 

But some in the university sector have expressed disappointment at not having a dedicated minister. 

Writing on X, Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said she was “very happy” that Smith will remain in post.

“She is an outstanding minister who has been a real pleasure to work with,” she continued, describing Smith as “thoughtful and knowledgeable”. 

“She is one of the most impressive ministers I have worked with,” Stern said. “It is still a very big brief though, and I do rather wish we had all of her.”

Smith has held on to the position despite many ministers seen as loyal to Starmer being purged by Burnham in the latest round of appointments. 

Smith and Burnham previously worked together in both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's governments. Smith was appointed schools minister in 2005, before being made chief whip the following year. She then became home secretary in 2007. 

Burnham also held several government positions during this time, including serving as secretary of state for culture, media and sport under Brown. 

With the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)  (DBT), led by Jonathan Reynolds, it has not yet been confirmed who will take responsibility for science after Patrick Vallance left government.

Two former parliamentary under-secretaries, Kate Dearden and Chris McDonald, were promoted to ministers of state in the new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, but their briefs have not yet been announced.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will also  join the department as a minister after accepting a place in the House of Lords.

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com