Prime Minister Gordon Brown has put children to the top of his political agenda to ensure “every child gets the best possible start in life.”

On his first full day in office, Mr Brown said that “children were the bedrock of our future” and that all would be done to help them realise their full potential.

Mr Brown spent his first full day announcing the senior people that would help him make decisions on issues such as education and welfare.

He also announced the creation of the first ever children’s ministry that will tackle the many issues that affect children and young people.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families will replace the Department for Education and Skills and will be led by Ed Balls.

Mr Balls has a long history of working with children and his appointment was welcomed by teachers and unions.

Steve Sinnott, head of the National Union of Teachers said: “He is a Member of Parliament with a wealth of ideas and energy which will now be available for the development of the education service.”

However, he expressed concerns about the break-up of education into two separate departments.

“History teaches us that the need to apply a joined up approach across the various phases of education always leads back to unity.”