Frontbench role for MP Jo Platt

Leigh parliamentarian Jo Platt is now the shadow minister for the cabinet office.

She is one of four MPs appointed to senior Labour roles either to fill vacancies or provide maternity cover.

Ms Platt was elected to parliament in 2017, succeeding Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the Leigh constituency's voice in Westminster.

She has already spent a year working as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Labour's education portfolio holder Angela Rayner.

Ms Platt said: "It is an honour to have been appointed as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office.

"I have been privileged to serve as PPS to Angela Rayner for the last year and will continue to support her ambition to create an National Education Service which is so important for our young people.

"I am looking forward to working with the Labour front bench to hold this government to account as we prepare to form a government for the many."

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "I am delighted to welcome new colleagues to Labour’s frontbench to strengthen our team as we continue to expose the Tories’ failings and prepare to form a government that works for the many, not the few.”

Joining Ms Platt in the shadow cabinet are Mike Amesbury, who has been given the employment brief, Justin Madders who is now shadow labour minister while Laura Pidcock is on maternity leave, and Naz Shah who takes over shaping party policy for women and equalities.