Member for Wentworth since 1997. Committees: Member, Labour Party Departmental Committees for the Treasury 1999-2001, Environment, Transport and the Regions 1997-2001, Education and Employment 1997-2001, Trade and Industry 1997-99. Political career: Economic Secretary, HM Treasury since 2002; Minister for Adult Skills, Department for Education and Skills 2001-02; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1999-2001; Parliamentary Candidate for Ryedale 1992. Special political interests: Skills and lifelong learning, economic regeneration and employment, local and regional government, trade unions and industrial relations, disability. Profession/Trade: Head of Communications, MSF Union 1992-94; Campaigns Manager, Issue Communications 1990-92; Tutor, Open University Business School 1989-92; Disability Campaigner for three national charities 1984-90; journalist/deputy editor, The House magazine. Education: Lady Lumley's Comprehensive School, Pickering; St Peter's School, York; Christ's College, Cambridge, BA. Languages spoken: French. Affiliations: GMB Union.
b. 13 February 1960. Married with one child.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	21,225	59.6	-7.9	22,798	67.5
Conservative	6,169	17.3	-1.5	6,349	18.8
Lib Dem	4,800	13.5	2.7	3,652	10.8
British National Party	1,798	5.1	5.1	-	-
UKIP	1,604	4.5	1.6	979	2.9
Majority	15,056	42.3		16,449	48.7
Turnout	35,596	56.0	3.2	33,778	52.8