Catherine Ashton

Catherine Ashton is now responsible for English and modern foreign languages, as well as special educational needs across the education and skills sectors. She is currently working for both the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Work and Pensions in her recently-appointed role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sure Start. Baroness Ashton will also deputise for education secretary Charles Clarke on religious education, and deal with sporting issues, Schools Plus, extended schools and study support for pre-14s. Ministers supporting her responsibilities in the House of Commons include Margaret Hodge, Stephen Twigg, Ivan Lewis and David Miliband.