Ashley Dalton has been appointed as an under-secretary of state in the Department of Health and Social Care replacing Andrew Gwynne, who was sacked following revelations that he had suggested sending an inappropriate message to a constituent on a WhatsApp group chat.

Dalton has been the Labour Party Member of Parliament for West Lancashire since a 2023 by-election.

Dalton worked for Southend-on-Sea Council for 17 years and at the time of her selection she worked part-time for a Lancashire charity. She was Labour’s shadow minister for women and equalities until the general election.