Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Bridge Phillipson said there had been a "squeamishness in talking about class" and it was a "big area that's been missing" in policy formation.
The equalities minister says the move will bring government efforts to tackle disadvantage "in-house".
Labour's Lizzi Collinge says anger is being "whipped up and personalised" by political debate.
She will work closely with Lucy Powell, having lost out to her in the deputy leadership contest.
The Conservative leader has been criticised by Labour for making a Nazi comparison in relation to the education secretary.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's called Bridget Phillipson a 'spiteful class warrior' at PMQs.
An apology will be issued on behalf of the state over the historic practice, the education secretary says.
Bridget Phillipson will ask the competition watchdog to examine costs that families are still facing in government-funded childcare.
A number of Labour MP's in north-east England call for the prime minister to step down.
