Alan Johnson is today appointed as Secretary of State for Education and Skills.
Alan Johnson said:
"I am delighted to be returning to the Department as Secretary of State. Education remains the Government's number one priority and we are in a process of radical change which will further enhance educational opportunity and attainment.
"This government has a proud record of improvement and investment in education, but we have more to do before we can be satisfied that every child in every school is receiving the highest standard of education that we can provide."
Alan Johnson previously held cabinet posts as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He held the post of Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education from 2003 to 2004.
He has previously served as Minister of State for Employment Relations and Regions and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Competitiveness, both at the Department of Trade and Industry.
Alan Johnson was educated at Sloane Grammar School in Chelsea, before becoming a postman. He was the General Secretary of the Union of Communication Workers 1993-1995 and joint General Secretary of the Communication Workers Unions from 1995-1997. Alan Johnson was a member of the General Council TUC 1994-1995 and a member of the Labour Party NEC 1995-1997. He was elected MP for Kingston-upon-Hull West and Hessle in 1997 and was also a member of the Trade and Industry Select Committee 1997. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Dawn Primarolo MP, the Paymaster General from 1997 to 1999.
