Profile

Labour Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 17 July 2024

Previously MP for Redditch until 12 April 2010 — General election (stood again)

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

Also represented Redditch

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile

Social Media

• UK Parliament Profile

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009

Currently held offices

• The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (since 6 Sep 2025)
• Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities) (since 4 Mar 2025)
• Minister of State (Education) (since 6 Jul 2024)

Other offices held in the past

• Lords Spokesperson (Equalities) ( 8 Oct 2024 to 3 Mar 2025)
• Home Secretary (28 Jun 2007 to 10 Jun 2009)
• The Secretary of State for the Home Department (28 Jun 2007 to 5 Jun 2009)
• Chief Whip ( 8 May 2006 to 28 Jun 2007)
• Chief Whip ( 5 May 2006 to 28 Jun 2007)
• Minister of State (Schools and 14-19 Learners), Department for Education and Skills (17 Jun 2005 to 8 May 2006)
• Minister of State (Schools), Department for Education and Skills (11 May 2005 to 17 Jun 2005)
• Minister of State (Education and Skills) (Schools and 14-19 Learners) (10 May 2005 to 5 May 2006)
• Minister of State (Industry and the Regions and Deputy Minister for Women), Department of Trade and Industry (13 Jun 2003 to 11 May 2005)
• Minister of State (Industry and the Regions) and Deputy Minister (Women) (13 Jun 2003 to 6 May 2005)
• Minister of State, Department of Health (11 Jun 2001 to 13 Jun 2003)
• Minister of State (Department of Health) (11 Jun 2001 to 13 Jun 2003)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education and Employment) (29 Jul 1999 to 10 Jun 2001)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Education and Employment (28 Jul 1999 to 11 Jun 2001)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Education and Inspections Bill Committee (15 out of 21)
• Civil Partnership Bill Committee (5 out of 5)
• Sex Discrimination (Clubs and Other Private Associations) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Bill Committee (3 out of 3)
• Adoption and Children Bill Committee (20 out of 23)
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill Committee (7 out of 7)