Mrs Hodge said her new job would be extremely challenging

The former minister for higher education, Margaret Hodge, will take on a range of different initiatives which relate to children and family life.

Until now, responsibility for children's issues was spread across four government departments, the Home Office, Department for Education and Skills, Department of Health and the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Downing Street has acknowledged that the Laming inquiry into the Victoria Climbie tragedy highlighted the need for better co-ordination on children's issues.

The inquiry into the death of the eight-year-old called for greater protection of children's rights in England.

Although there is a children's commissioner in Wales, created following the inquiry into abuse at children's homes in north Wales, the government has refused to create an identical post in England.

Mrs Hodge, who will report to the Education Secretary Charles Clarke, will take responsibility for children's services, childcare provision for under-fives, family policy and measures to safeguard at risk children.

Charles Clarke said a holistic approach was needed

Mrs Hodge said: "I know this will be an extremely challenging role. but I'm convinced we can achieve an approach to children's services that provides the best support they need for a happy and secure childhood"

"Lord Laming's inquiry into the Victoria Climbie tragedy highlighted the need for better coordination of services."

The government said the changes foreshadow proposals for far reaching reforms which will be set out in a Green Paper to be published before the parliamentary summer recess.

The Education Secretary Charles Clarke said the change would make the government more responsive to the needs of children, their parents and carers.

He said: "In many local authorities we have seen how we can secure better outcomes for children by bringing the services together under one roof.

"The time is right to mirror these structures nationally so we can work better with local authorities to secure a holistic approach to tackling children's issues.

We can only hope that her views have matured since she launched a booklet discussing a ban on skipping ropes, musical chairs and GCSE grades below C Damian Green, shadow education secretary

"This is a clear signal we are putting children at the heart of the services we provide."

Shadow education secretary Damian Green criticised Mrs Hodge, but not the new post.

"A new minister for children is one of the most sensitive positions in government."

"It needs to be occupied by someone with robust common sense.

"We can only hope that her views have matured since she launched a booklet discussing a ban on skipping ropes, musical chairs and GCSE grades below C."

Liz Atkins, head of policy and public affairs for the NSPCC, said the creation of a children's minister was "long overdue".

She said: "We welcome the news that there is a minister for children with sole responsibility for issues affecting children.

"Joining up children's services in one department does make sense.

"The safeguarding of children must remain a priority in the new departmental structure and we look forward to working with Margaret Hodge in her new role."