Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will pledge to take on Reform UK with a “mandate to do more”, as she launches her bid for Labour’s deputy leadership.

In a speech to supporters in Sunderland on Sunday, the Education Secretary will tell members to back her to unite the party and secure a second term for Labour.

She will also say she plans to continue the campaigning role of Angela Rayner, who vacated the deputy leadership when she resigned over her tax affairs, and will point to Ms Rayner’s achievements in the role while also a Cabinet minister.

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Ms Phillipson is up against her former Cabinet colleague Lucy Powell, who lost her post as Commons leader in the reshuffle triggered when Ms Rayner quit.

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