Ian Lavery has been appointed shadow minister for trade unions and civil society.
Lavery is the MP for Wansbeck in Northumberland, and was elected to Parliament in 2010. He was re-elected in 2015 with a majority of more than 50 per cent.
In a statement on his website he said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to serve on the front bench, in a brand new position that is extremely close to my heart. This Cabinet Office brief, as shadow minister for trade unions and civil society, is an honour to take on and will build upon existing relationships and develop many more.
“Politics across the UK has been set alight by the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party. With over a quarter of a million people voting for his leadership, Jeremy has achieved a mandate that many could only dream of. We need to build on this and involve all areas of society in determining a fairer more equal future of our country.
“This is a chance to do politics in a different way. It is a chance to work with the trade unions to enhance the engagement of their members in politics and support the link between them and the Labour leadership. It is a chance to work to promote the Labour Party’s engagement with wider civil society and the participation of community organisations in politics.
“I am honoured to have been asked to take on this brief and look forward to supporting the leader, deputy leader, shadow first minister and the frontbench team as we look to build a strong opposition to the disastrous and deepening austerity policies being pursued by the Conservative government.”
He is a trustee of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation in the North East, the Northumberland Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association, the Hirst Welfare Centre and the Woodhorn Colliery Museum.
He is also a patron of brain injury charity Headway for South East Northumberland as well as the Wansbeck Disability Forum, and is chair of both Ashington Community Football Club and the Hirst Welfare Centre. He is also chairman and trustee of the world famous Pitman Painters.
Lisa Nandy, former shadow minister for civil society, has been promoted to Shadow Energy Secretary.