Robert Halfon sacked by Theresa May in reshuffle
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Robert Halfon has been stripped of his role as apprenticeships and skills minister.
The Conservative MP for Harlow has confirmed he has been removed from the role, which he has held since July, in the Prime Minister's Cabinet reshuffle.
Writing on Twitter, @Halfon4harlow, said, ‘It's been an honour to have served as Apprenticeships Minister. I'm proud we have a record 900K apprentices & to have passed the FE/TE Bill.’
It is believed that Anne Milton, MP for Guildford, who has now been named as a minister at the Department for Education (DfE), will take over the brief for apprenticeships and skills.
Ms Milton was previously deputy chief whip and before that a junior minister at the Department of Health (DoH). Prior to her career in politics, she trained as a nurse and worked in the NHS for 25 years.
Also joining the DfE is the former immigration minister Robert Goodwill. It is thought Mr Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, will take on the brief as minister for vulnerable children and families. Mr Goodwill previously voted against the Dubs Amendment, a scheme to provide support and sanctuary to lone children fleeing war in Syria. The position was previously held by Edward Timpson, who lost his seat in the general election.
The Department for Education has yet to officially confirm the appointments.
However, early years minister Caroline Dinenage and schools minister Nick Gibb are tipped to continue in their roles.
Jo Johnson, MP for Orpington, has been re-appointed as minister for universities and science.
Also out, is the chair of the Commons Education Select Committee – Conservative MP Neil Carmichael, chair for the past two years – who lost his seat to Labour MP David Drew. Mr Drew had previously held the seat between 1997 and 2010.
