Following yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle, one of the North-East's political heavyweights, Hilary Armstrong, retained a high-profile role at the heart of New Labour. Bessie Robinson looks at her rise to power and her new role as Minister for Social Exclusion HILARY ARMSTRONG'S loyalty to the Prime Minster was repaid yesterday when she kept her role at the heart of Government - and her seat in the Cabinet.

Other North-East MPs have come and gone over the Labour years, but the 60-year-old's position seems secure, for at least as long at Mr Blair is in power.

Following a briefing yesterday, she was upbeat about the new job, which is ideal for someone with her background in social work and education and is central to Mr Blair's "respect" agenda.

She will combine the role of Social Exclusion Minister with the vacant role of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The post allows the Premier to appoint a minister without portfolio and was used by Mr Blair to bring Ms Armstrong's friend, Alan Milburn, the MP for Darlington, back into government for last year's General Election campaign.

Social exclusion, she said last night, would tackle difficult priorities such as problem families, mental health, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and children in care. She said: "There are five main priorities which the Prime Minister has asked me to address.

"In a way, it is similar to the whip's role in that is about pulling together different elements.

"I will work with other departments to look at existing strategies to see how they are working and how we can improve things.

"We are looking for the better identification of those families which are likely to cause problems.

"We need to do better for our looked-after children in terms of their future employment and career prospects so that they achieve much better outcomes.

"I will be looking at what we have learnt from what we have already done and co-ordinating what other people in Government are doing.

"Problem families affect a lot of people's lives, and early intervention is often the key issue.

"Instead of picking up the pieces when a problem has become too great, we are looking at patterns of behaviour and ways of prevention.

"We are a party that is interested in social justice, and this sends out a strong message on that.

"It was the Prime Minister's decision that I should take this new job, but he knew I would be interested and I am pleased that he sees me as an essential part of the Government."