Education:
• Doncaster Grammar School
• Hull University

 

Qualifications:
• BA Hons in History

Previous Employment:
• Head of Office of John Prescott, MP (1994-1997)
• Managing Director of Connect Public Affairs (1990-1994)
• Parliamentary Officer for the Royal College of Nursing (1988-1990)
• Parliamentary Officer for Southwark Council (1986-1988)
• Constituency Personal Assistant to John Prescott, MP (1980-1986)

 

Interests/Hobbies:
• Member of TGWU and NUJ
• Sailing
• Reading

 

Parliamentary Elections:
• 2005 Re-elected MP for Doncaster Central with a Labour majority of 9,802 (28.5%)
• 2001 Re-elected MP for Doncaster Central with a Labour majority of 11,999 (35.39%)
• 1997 Elected MP for Doncaster Central with a Labour majority of 17,856

Parliamentary Positions:

• Minister of State at the Department of Transport June 2007 (at present)
• Minister of State at the Department of Health June 2003 – June 2007
• Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellor’s Department (2001 – June 2003)

The remit for this role includes:

London
Local Transport, including local authority roads and local transport plans
Road pricing
Buses and taxis
Regional and sub-regional issues
Walking and cycling
Traffic management (except on Highways Agency network)
Mobility and inclusion
Europe
Transport technology, research and Transport Direct
Transport and Works Act (TWA) orders
Regional strategy and growth areas.