The West Lancashire MP has served as a parliamentary private secretary to Wes Streeting since the general election last July.

Dalton was elected in February 2023, succeeding Rosie Cooper, who left Parliament and became chair of Mersey Care Foundation Trust.

On her website, Dalton says: ‘I am a mum, a carer, a cancer survivor and a proud Lancashire lass.

‘I grew up just outside of West Lancashire in Leyland. I spent 25 years working with grassroots communities in local government. My life has been about helping residents and improving their local services.'

The DHSC has yet to confirm if Dalton will directly take over Gwynne's brief.