Former teacher; former Minister; former NHS & Children’s services leader; former podcaster & commentator NOW back in government as @educationgovuk Minister 😀
Malvern and London
Joined October 2010
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Jacqui Smith retweeted
Kemi spent most of her response attacking the Tory welfare record.
A reminder that under their watch:
Neets up 250k between 2021 and 2024;
Welfare spending rose twice as fast as in this Parliament;
Millions signed off and written off on sickness and disability benefits.
Jacqui Smith retweeted
We're closing a loophole letting serious offenders detained under a hospital order keep receiving benefits, while those serving equivalent prison sentences cannot.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, explains why this change is long overdue.
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Thank you to @UKHofficial for announcing 100,000 new jobs for young people not in education, employment or training over the next few years.
This comes on top of a similar agreement reached last month with UK retail.
theguardian.com/society/2026…
Jacqui Smith retweeted
The Conservative Party debated for a couple of hours and decided that no, they are not a serious party. Inevitably.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the triple lock.
Sign the petition to help us stop him 👇
ProtectPensioners.com
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
Labour are not cutting pensions, they are reforming the triple lock. Pensions will still rise every year, either at 2.5% or in line with inflation. Whichever is higher. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Another ill-judged attempt at political point-scoring from Kemi.
School attendance and keeping schools open is my absolute priority, as is the safety of all children.
We've been in close contact with headteachers, schools and local authorities in Redcar and Cleveland, and Middlesbrough to support them to keep schools open and with sensitive child protection issues.
These are difficult decisions for headteachers to make, but I have been assured no further closures will be needed.
The Conservatives used to champion school autonomy. Now, apparently, they want me signing off every decision a headteacher makes. I trust and support headteachers.
If you want to talk about shame, start with huge cuts your government made to local policing and services in Teesside – they’re still living with the consequences.
It’s obscene that this is happening again.
It is the duty of government to keep schools open, yet the Labour Education Secretary is allowing gang violence to dictate the lives of law-abiding citizens.
Lucy Powell should be ashamed that she has refused to intervene. This sets a terrible precedent and sends a message to criminals and thugs across the country that this Labour government is too weak to keep its people safe from them.
It is also a kick in the teeth to the police officers being asked to defend parents, teachers and children from the very thugs involved in the violence that killed two of their own.
It was bad enough that schools closed early last week but it is completely unfathomable that the Labour government has not stopped it happening again this week.
If they don’t act now, this will only get worse.
This is both shocking and very sad news. I echo Lucy’s words and urge everyone to respect Jason’s family and friends and give them privacy at this incredibly difficult time.
Jacqui Smith retweeted
I’m deeply shocked & saddened to hear about the death of Jason Arday. My heartfelt condolences are with his friends and family at this very sad time. I urge people to give them privacy through this incredibly difficult period & to remember there are real people with loved ones involved.
Jacqui Smith retweeted
What a mean-spirited first edition of Daily Mail tonight, including their grandest public school educated columnist - the King’s official biographer no less - sent up to Lucy Powell’s Manchester state school to take the piss and poke holes… should we not celebrate her rise? These people have no idea what it is like to be an outsider like she was… so what if she made an error in her grammar… for heaven’s sake…
Jacqui Smith retweeted
The UK stands in solidarity with Germany and everyone affected by the appalling incident in Berlin. Pride is a celebration of human rights, freedom and dignity. Violence and hatred have no place in our societies, and must never be allowed to undermine these shared values.
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Working class people get into best universities in the country, then make it to top of politics
UP WITH THIS WE WILL NOT PUT
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Because everyone knows that politics is the only work environment where people meet their partners and their offspring go to work there. I mean, journalism never has any offspring or siblings in it.
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Every child, wherever they live, should grow up with opportunity on their doorstep.
It was a privilege to walk through the door as Education Secretary to start that work.
At last
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Under Labour, school standards are rising. It's a testament to the dedication of our teachers.
School leaders and staff have shown extraordinary professionalism this year – an enormous thank you.
My piece for @SchoolsWeek ✍️
schoolsweek.co.uk/key-stage-…
Jacqui Smith retweeted
How do we help people live the fullest life? Article in Times today.
thetimes.com/article/a8abcc4…
Jacqui Smith retweeted
We were delighted to welcome The Rt Hon. Baroness @Jacqui_Smith1 from @educationgovuk to City Lit last week.
Her visit included time in jewellery, health and wellbeing, and Deaf employment classes.
It was a valuable opportunity to share the breadth of learning at City Lit.
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Did you know that Erasmus+ funding was also availble to adult education and VET providers?
That's why yesterday, we were in Manchester for the HOLEX Summer Network event of 2026.
It was an honour to have @Jacqui_Smith1 , Minister of State for Skills, DfE, come by our stand!
Jacqui Smith retweeted
I think I’m going to take a leaf out of @Jacqui_Smith1 book
🗣️ 'How are you going to navigate the 1am kick-off when England face Mexico?' -@SophyRidgeSky
🗣️ 'I am going to prepare myself on Sunday with a disco nap so I can then watch the match and arrive at work as usual, full of vim and vigour' - @Jacqui_Smith1
Jacqui Smith retweeted
I'm delighted to reunite with @jacqui_smith1 at the Edinburgh Fringe. I'll talk to her about her life as a minister and she'll interview me about my autobiography.
2pm, Sun 9 Aug, EICC
Buy tickets pleasance.co.uk/search?query…
Jacqui Smith retweeted
Kemi lost her head at PMQs - and afterwards too.
It's not the first time. She's compared me to a Gestapo officer.
I wonder what it is about a working class woman driving record investment in state schools by ending private schools' tax breaks that the Tories hate so much.
The Gestapo marched hundreds of thousands of innocent people to their deaths.
I've ended private schools' tax breaks to invest in state schools.
No responsible leader makes vile comparisons like this. Kemi Badenoch is not fit to be Prime Minister.
ALT A quote from a Kemi Badenoch interview, comparing Bridget Phillipson to a Gestapo officer.