Employment
minister Alan Johnson has moved to the Department of Education and Skills as
part of last week’s cabinet reshuffle.
Johnson
has left the Department of Trade and Industry after being appointed the new
Minister of State for Lifelong
learning, Further and Higher Education, replacing Margaret Hodge.
The
former postman and unionist is said to have impressed prime minister Blair with
his work at the DTI, which has included a raft of new employment legislation
and consultation.
Before
joining the Government he worked as the general secretary of the Union of
Communication Workers (1993-1995) and joint general secretary of the
Communication Workers Union (199-1997), and also sat on the TUC general
council.
The
move also serves as a reminder of the Government’s higher education policy, as
Johnson himself didn’t go to university.
In
another development that will affect employers, Des Brown has replaced Nick
Brown as Minister for Work, while Malcolm Wicks takes over the vacant pensions
role at the Department of Work and Pensions.
Employment-related
Government appointments
Department
for Education and Skills:
Alan
Johnson, Minister of State for Lifelong learning, Further and Higher Education
Department
for Work and Pensions:
Desmond
Browne, Minister for Work
Malcolm Wicks, Minister for Pensions
Chris Pond, parliamentary under-secretary
Department of Trade and Industry:
Jacqui
Smith, Deputy Minister for Women
Gerry Sutcliffe, parliamentary under-secretary
