Halfon has today resigned from his ministerial role and announced he won’t stand as MP for Harlow in Essex at the next election – a position he has held for 14 years.
In a letter to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Halfon, who was appointed minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education for a second time in October 2022 – he was in the same position between July 2016 and June 2017 – says, ‘As MP, I have done everything possible to work hard for Harlow. I have been honoured to have served as chair of the education select committee, as deputy chairman of the party, attend Cabinet and, most recently, proudly appointed once again as the minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education.’
He goes on to list his and the political parties' achievements over the years since being elected an MP.
The armed forces minister James Heappey has also resigned from his post today.