David Johnston has been appointed as the Department for Education’s tenth children’s minister in just over a decade after his predecessor Claire Coutinho was promoted to Energy Secretary.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan announced Johnston’s appointed on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: “I'm looking forward to welcoming @david4wantage to @educationgovuk as our new minister for children, families and wellbeing.”
His appointment comes as Coutinho is promoted to Energy and Net Zero Secretary, replacing Grant Shapps who takes over from Ben Wallace as Defence Secretary following his resignation this morning (31 August).
Johnston, who has been MP for Wantage and Didcot since 2019, was chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation for 10 years until he was elected. He 2018 received an OBE for services to social mobility and education.
