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 and now represent Normanton too.

You can read more about what got me into politics, my hobbies and lots more here.

Some people don't know this but I was actually born in Inverness, Scotland. My parents, Tony Cooper (a Trade Unionist) and June Cooper (a Maths teacher) sent me to Eggars Comprehensive in Alton, Hampshire. I worked hard and won a place at Oxford University. I have since been lucky enough to study at Harvard University and the London School of Economics.

In 1998 I married Ed Balls and together we have three wonderful children.

Political Career

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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