Commenting on the appointment of Lucy Powell as secretary of state for education Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Lucy Powell's experience as shadow education secretary should put her in good stead and ensure that she can hit the ground running. There is much to do and no time to waste.
“Schools have been told for too long to do more with less. They are now being asked to find almost half a billion pounds they do not have to plug the funding gap in the government's teacher pay offer. The NEU is preparing a formal ballot on this issue, and it is not too late for government to change course. It should accept that it was wrong to have ever suggested there are 'efficiencies' to be made in school budgets when the education system is on its knees.
“Bridget Phillipson was hampered from the start by a wider government policy of continuity austerity that has alienated voters and stagnated services. Now is the opportunity for a step change that parents, schools, teachers and support staff can recognise as a break with the past.
“Reset must mean more than a change of faces. It must also mean a change of direction.”