Shadow role for Angela

ANGELA RAYNER

FAILSWORTH MP Angela Rayner has been appointed shadow secretary for education, just days after taking up the portfolio for women and equalities.

Ms Rayner was previously a shadow work and pensions minister before moving into the shadow cabinet on June 27 with the women and equalities portfolio.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has now appointed Ms Rayner as shadow secretary of state for education, women and equalities in the shadow cabinet.

The appointment brings together the previously separate portfolios of education with women and equalities into a new role which mirrors the current responsibilities of the government's education secretary Nikki Morgan.

Ms Rayner says the role will allow her to more directly hold the Government to account for its policies in this area.

She said: "I am honoured to have been asked to serve my party in this new role which means I will be directly up against Nikki Morgan at the despatch box.

"At this time of turmoil in British politics, it is more important than ever that Labour can be an effective opposition to the Tories, hold them to account and put forward a positive vision for the future. I relish that challenge."

The move comes after a wave of shadow cabinet resignations, putting piling pressure on Mr Corbyn.

Pat Glass was appointed shadow education secretary by the Labour leader after the resignation of Lucy Powell on June 26 - but she herself also resigned just three days later.