The Married Couple: Yvette Cooper and Ed Balls

Westminster's "golden couple" were both given seats at the Cabinet by Gordon Brown as the Prime Minister boosted the importance of the family through a radical reform of the Department for Education.

Ed Balls, Mr Brown's former Treasury aide, was put in charge of a new department for children, while his wife, Yvette Cooper, was given a right to attend cabinet meetings as Minister of State for Housing, which is being given higher priority by Mr Brown.

Mr Balls, a former Financial Times journalist, and Ms Cooper, who was an economics correspondent for The Independent, are the rising stars of the Brown regime. The couple, who have neighbouring seats in Yorkshire, have had to learn how to juggle theircareers with bringing up three children. A friend said: "They take their kids to school in the mornings, and juggle their lives like everyone else. It's mad at times, but they have to rely a lot on grandparents."

The couple are well liked at Westminster, and their family experience may contribute to their ministerial responsibilities. As Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Mr Balls will be responsible for families, schools, youth justice and "the respect agenda". There was confusion over who would be responsible for policy on antisocial behaviour orders. "It is not the case that Ed Balls will be running round the country issuing Asbos," said an official.

The department's main responsibility will be take over education policy for students up to the age of 19 from the former Department for Education and Skills. Funding for those aged 16 to 19 will go via the education authorities in future rather than the Learning and Skills Council.

John Denham, a former minister, was made Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills in a separate department.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "It is wrong to split the department because colleges will be serving two departments. Having said that, it means that education has two places at cabinet level - which can only be good."

Ms Cooper will lead a drive for more affordable housing, giving local authorities powers to build houses in mixed developments, and creating at least five "eco" towns with neutral carbon emissions.

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