WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has won promotion in the latest Labour frontbench shake-up.

She was yesterday made shadow local government minister responsible for focusing on the coalition’s funding cuts.

She told the Daily Post: “My role will be to campaign against the extra burden which the government is placing on local authorities. The funding shortfalls will be massive and will fall most heavily on services for the elderly, the disabled and the most vulnerable groups at risk. Even after 18 months of the coalition, local people don’t fully recognised the impact the cuts will have on their lives and those of their families.”

Mrs Jones, 56, was previously a senior Labour whip responsible for ensuring MPs’ vote, and until the last general election held a similar government role as Vice-Chamberlain of the Households.

The change-over followed last week’s Shadow Cabinet reshuffle which saw West Derby MP Stephen Twigg promoted to shadow education secretary.

In the shake-up, Wavertree MP Luciana Berger retained her role as a shadow energy and climate change minister.”