Hodge returns to early years

Margaret Hodge is returning to the early years field as England's first-ever minister for children. The new post, created in last week's Government reshuffle, sees the former early years minister take responsibility for areas including children's services, childcare and provision for under-fives, and family policy, including parenting support and family law. She will also be responsible for the reform agenda to be set out in a forthcoming Green Paper on children who are 'at risk'. Working under the education secretary, Charles Clarke, Mrs Hodge's specific...