Born: 9th May 1968, Limavady, Northern Ireland.

Family: I am married with 1 son and 3 daughters.

Educated: Read PPE at Queen's College Oxford before going on to the London School of Economics.

Previous Roles: From 1994 -1997 I was the Deputy Head of the Inflation Report Division, Bank of England as well as an economics writer on The Guardian newspaper (1990 - 1994).

Elected: In 1997 I became the Labour Member of Parliament for Bolton West.

Offices Held: 1998 - 2001 PPS to Nick Brown (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food); 2001 -May 2002 Economic Secretary to the Treasury, May 2002 - Sept 2004 Financial Secretary to the Treasury; Sept 2004 - Dec 2004 Minister for the Cabinet Office; Dec 2004 - May 2006 Secretary of State for Education and Skills; May 2006 - June 2007 Secretary of State for Communities and local Government and Minister for Women; June 2007 - Present Secretary of State for Transport.

Trade Union: AMICUS

Parliamentary Interests: I am particularly interested in economic, employment and family policy.

Leisure Interests: In my spare time I enjoy walking, swimming and of course watching Bolton Wanderers FC.