About Yvette

Working hard with the people of Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley

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About Yvette

I have been a member of the Labour Party since I was a teenager and have been MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley since 1997.

As well as being a constituency MP, I am currently also the Secretary of State of the Department of Work and Pensions. You can read more about what got me into politics, my hobbies and lots more here.

Birthplace

Inverness, Scotland, 1969, to Tony Cooper (trade unionist) and June Cooper (Maths teacher)

Education

Eggars Comprehensive, Alton, Hampshire, Alton Sixth Form College, Oxford University, Harvard University, London School of Economics.

Employment

Economic Researcher for late John Smith, Policy Advisor to Bill Clinton Presidential Campaign, Policy Advisor to Labour Treasury Team on public spending, Economic columnist and leader writer, The Independent newspaper.

Political

June 2009	Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions
January 2008	Chief Secretary to the Treasury
June 2007	Minister for Housing, attending Cabinet
2005	Minister of State (Minister for Housing and Planning), Department for Communities and Local Government
June 2003	appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
May 2002	appointed Parliamentary Secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department
October 1999	appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health
May 1997	elected Labour Member of Parliament for Pontefract and Castleford.

Previously: member, Education and Employment Select Committee; member of Employment Sub-Committee; member, Intelligence and Security Committee; All-party Coalfield Communities Group.

Political Membership

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Personal

I am married to Ed Balls and we have two daughters and one son.