Dawn Primarolo replaces Beverley Hughes as Children's Minister

Following Beverley Hughes announcement last Tuesday that she will step down as an MP at the next General Election, Dawn Primarolo has been appointed as the new Children's Minister.

Ms Primarolo was elected as the MP for Bristol South in 1987 and since 2007 has been the Minister of State for Public Health, serving alongside former Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

Ms Primarolo has held various Treasury posts since Labour's election victory in 1997 and was Paymaster General from 1999 to 2007.

Speaking about her new appointment, Ms Primarolo said: "I am delighted to have been appointed Minister for Children, Young People and Families and am looking forward to driving forward policies that make a real difference to the support, advice and services available to children and families.

"My previous role at the Department of Health included many issues that are critical to the long term prospects of our young people and I also recently took part in the celebration of the 3,000th Sure Start Children's Centre. I believe that by continuing to working together - children's services, schools, the voluntary sector and Government - we can make this country the best place in the world for our children and young people to grow up."

Ed Balls, who had been widely expected to replace Alistair Darling as Chancellor, is staying in his post as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.