Ex-schools minister takes over from Hutton on social care

The former schools standards minister Jacqui Smith has been
appointed as minister of state at the Department of Health.

Smith takes over responsibility for social care from health
minister John Hutton, who in turn takes over John Denham’s former
portfolio including NHS workforce issues. Denham has now moved to
the home office.

Jacqui Smith was born in 1962, and educated at Dyson Perrins
Church of England High School in Malvern, Warwickshire. She
attended Hertford College, Oxford, and Worcester College of Higher
Education.

Smith taught economics at Arrow Vale High School in Redditch
between 1986 and 1988 and then moved on to teach at Worcester Sixth
Form College between 1988 and 1990.

From 1990, she was the head of economics and GNVQ co-ordinator
for Haybridge High School in Hagley, Birmingham. She was a local
councillor for Redditch Borough Council between 1991 and 1997.

Smith was elected to Parliament in 1997 and appointed to the
Department for Education and Employment as junior minister for
school standards in July 1999.

The other new face at the Department of Health is Salford MP
Hazel Blears who takes over from Gisela Stewart and will be
responsible for health issues including acute services and NHS
Direct.

Lord Rooker has been put in charge of asylum and immigration
matters at the Home Office.

A detailed list of ministerial responsibilities will be issued
shortly.