Kit Malthouse departs as education secretary in Sunak’s reshuffle

Kit Malthouse has left his post as education secretary, amid ministerial exits prompted by Rishi Sunak’s takeover as prime minister.

Mr Malthouse was appointed on 6 September by former prime minister Liz Truss.

Mr Sunak is yet to name a replacement. But whoever takes over will be the fifth education secretary to serve in the role within just four months, an unprecedented spell of turbulence driven by turmoil within the Conservative party as Boris Johnson fell as prime minister, followed, not long after, by his successor Liz Truss.

Nadhim Zahawi departed as education secretary on 5 July when he was appointed as chancellor by Mr Johnson during the dying days of his prime ministership.

Michelle Donelan then accepted a promotion from universities minister to education secretary but remained in post for only 36 hours before quitting as she joined the chorus urging Mr Johnson to go.

James Cleverly held the post as Mr Johnson saw out his time in office, before being succeeded by Mr Malthouse.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Malthouse said he left “with profound gratitude to officials, my private office team, and brilliant advisers, who all worked so hard”.

“I hope my successor can harness their commitment to the most important mission in Whitehall: the future and welfare of our children,” Mr Malthouse said.

One issue facing the new education secretary will be whether to press ahead with plans to introduce student number controls and a minimum entry requirement in higher education. The Johnson government had said it would introduce a bill to implement such plans to tackle concerns over quality.

That is likely to hinge on whether the Treasury, under new chancellor Jeremy Hunt, will seek major savings from the higher education budget.

Jacob Rees-Mogg had already resigned as secretary of state in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which is responsible for research funding, following Mr Sunak’s selection as prime minister by Tory MPs.

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com