Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education.
He becomes the first MP for the constituency to hold a departmental ministerial post since the seat was created in 1832.
The Labour and Co-operative MP has been appointed by the Prime Minister to serve in the Department for Education under Education Secretary Lucy Powell.
His ministerial responsibilities are expected to be confirmed by the department in due course.
The department is responsible for schools, early years, children's social care, special educational needs and disabilities, colleges and skills.
Born in Wardle and raised on a council estate in Spotland, Mr Waugh attended Meanwood Primary School, Redbrook Middle School and Oulder Hill Community School before going on to university.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Waugh said, "Rochdale has sent members to Parliament for nearly two hundred years and has never had one of its own in a ministerial post. That says something about how long this town has waited to be heard at the centre of government, and I do not intend to waste the chance.
"I'm proud that I went to state schools in Rochdale. The teachers who taught me changed my life by showing me the world of opportunity that was out there and unlocking my potential.
"Every child in this borough deserves the best possible start in life, and my job now is to help make that a reality for so many more youngsters."
Mr Waugh said he would continue to represent constituents while serving in government.
He said, "Being a minister does not change the work I will continue to do for the people of Rochdale. I will still be at my surgeries, still answering casework, still fighting for the things this town needs.
"Rochdale gave the world the co operative movement, built on the idea that people get further together than they do alone. That is a decent principle to take into a department whose mission should be to give children and young people the fairest crack at getting on in life."
The appointment gives Rochdale direct representation within government for the first time in the constituency's history through a departmental ministerial role.
Business rates cut announced for pubs and music venues in Bury
Bury North MP James Frith appointed Health Minister
Man arrested after two attempted rape investigations in Rochdale
Bury man jailed after possessing extremist material and using phones in prison
Police appeal for information after two linked sexual assaults in Rochdale
Man taken to hospital after being glassed outside Rochdale Town Centre pub
Bev Craig outlines plans for Greater Manchester in Roch Valley Radio interview
Geraldine Coggins outlines Green Party vision for Greater Manchester mayoral election
New planning guidance aims to support healthier food choices in Bury
New planning guidance adopted to manage shared housing in Bury
Business leaders celebrate ten years of partnership supporting Bury's growth
Comments
Add a comment