Blair famously said that in office his three priorities would be "education, education, education" and he is said to be pleased with Blunkett's performance.

Since taking up the post in he has attempted to deal with the chronic teacher shortages with incentives such as performance related pay and the creation of new grades.

But the public falling-out with the former chief inspector of schools, Chris Woodhead, who said Labour had "betrayed" a generation of children, caused much media interest.

As employment secretary Blunkett's department has piloted the government's flagship New Deal programme - designed to help the long-term unemployed into work. Whether it has been successful is a controversial point with the opposition arguing many of those finding work through the programme may have found jobs any way.