I was born and brought up in Salford. I was educated at Wardley Grammar School in Swinton and Eccles Sixth Form College.
I studied law at Nottingham Trent University and Chester College of Law. I had a dual career as a senior solicitor and a North West Councillor and I was Chair of the Salford Community Health
Council from 1992 to 1996.
I was elected Member of Parliament for Salford in 1997.
I was PPS for Alan Milburn when he was Minister of State at the Health Dept in 1998 and when he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury between Jan and Oct 1999.
I was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health in June 2001, and promoted within the Department of Health to the role of Minister for Public Health, in May 2002.
In June 2003 I moved to the Home Office, promoted to Minister of State and I had responsibility for crime reduction, policing, community safety and counter-terrorism.
In May 2006, I was appointed Chair of the Labour Party and Minister without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office.
In June 2007, I was appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
During the 1997-2001 Parliament, I was Vice President of the Local Government Association, Vice Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Party Development Co-ordinator and a member of the Health
and Culture Media and Sport backbench committees.
I have chaired the North West Group of Labour MPs and remain involved in what is the largest Political Group in Parliament.
I have played an active role in a number of All-Party Parliamentary Groups, including the Rugby League Group. (I am a keen supporter of the Salford Reds!)
I was Secretary to the Community Health Councils, Chair of the Motor Cycling Group and a member of others including, Sustainable Energy, Homelessness and Housing Needs, Public Health and Primary
Care.
I am a member of TGWU, Usdaw and Co-operative Action. I am a former member of the Labour Party's National Policy Forum. I was appointed to the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party in
October 2003.
I am the author of the following publications:
The Politics of Decency (Mutuo 2004)
Communities in Control (Fabian Society 2003)
Making Health Care Mutual (Mutuo 2002)
I am a keen supporter of The Lowry, which displays an unrivalled collection of Lowry paintings. I have a keen interest in the Arts and the role they can play in economic regeneration.
My interests outside Parliament include motorcycling, tap dancing, going to the cinema and theatre, fell walking and gardening. I am married to Michael Halsall and live in Salford.
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