About Yvette Cooper

Yvette Cooper represents the people who live in Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, at the UK Parliament in Westminster.

MPs split their time between Parliament and their constituency. In Parliament, they debate and vote on new laws, review existing laws, and question the Government. In the constituency, their focus is on supporting local people and championing local issues. They have a small staff team who help with casework, maintain their diaries, and monitor their inbox.

What you can do

• Find out more about this MP, including:
  • Committees and groups they are part of.
  • Voting record summary or a list of recent votes.
  • Declared financial interests.
  • Recent speeches and questions
  • Signatures (open letters and EDMs)
• Write to your MP, or find out about your other local representatives on WriteToThem.com.
• Find out more about Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley on the Local Intelligence Hub.

Profile

Labour MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley

Entered the House of Commons on 1 May 1997 — General election

Also represented Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford; Pontefract and Castleford

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile

Social Media

• @YvetteCooperMP
• Facebook
• UK Parliament Profile

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Currently held offices

• Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (since 5 Sep 2025)

Other offices held in the past

• The Secretary of State for the Home Department ( 5 Jul 2024 to 5 Sep 2025)
• Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department (29 Nov 2021 to 30 May 2024)
• Shadow Home Secretary (20 Jan 2011 to 14 Sep 2015)
• Shadow Minister (Equalities Office) (Women and Equalities) (20 Jan 2011 to 7 Oct 2013)
• Shadow Foreign Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities ( 8 Oct 2010 to 20 Jan 2011)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (12 May 2010 to 8 Oct 2010)
• The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions ( 6 Jun 2009 to 6 May 2010)
• The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (24 Jan 2008 to 5 Jun 2009)
• Minister of State (Department of Communities and Local Government) (Housing) (28 Jun 2007 to 24 Jan 2008)
• Minister of State (Department of Communities and Local Government) (Housing and Planning) ( 5 May 2006 to 28 Jun 2007)
• Minister of State (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) (Housing and Planning) (10 May 2005 to 5 May 2006)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) (Regeneration and Regional Developement) (13 Jun 2003 to 10 May 2005)
• Parliamentary Secretary (Lord Chancellor's Department) (29 May 2002 to 13 Jun 2003)
• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (11 Oct 1999 to 28 May 2002)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Greater London Authority Bill Committee (9 out of 9)
• Housing Corporation (Delegation) etc. Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Housing Bill Committee (12 out of 19)
• Planning and Compulsory Purchase (Re-committed) Bill Committee (7 out of 8)
• European Parliament (Representation) Bill Committee (6 out of 6)
• Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill Committee (5 out of 5)
• Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Deceased Fathers) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill Committee (7 out of 7)