The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

Yvette Cooper was appointed Secretary of State for the Home Department on 5 July 2024. She was elected as the MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley in July 2024.

The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, born on March 20, 1969, in Inverness, Scotland, has established herself as a prominent figure in British politics. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford, and Harvard University, Cooper’s early career included roles as an economic researcher for John Smith, a policy advisor for Bill Clinton’s campaign, and work as a journalist and economist. She entered Parliament in 1997 as the Labour MP for Pontefract and Castleford and quickly rose through the ranks due to her expertise and dedication.

Yvette has held several significant positions in government, including Minister for Housing and Planning, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. In these roles, she played key parts in managing public finances during the global financial crisis and addressing housing and welfare issues. Despite Labour’s loss in the 2010 general election, Cooper continued to influence policy as Shadow Foreign Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary, focusing on national security, immigration, and police reform.

Since 2016, Yvette has chaired the Home Affairs Select Committee, where she scrutinises government policy on critical issues like immigration and counter-terrorism. Her leadership bid for the Labour Party in 2015, though unsuccessful, underscored her commitment to unity and pragmatic policy. Married to former Labour MP Ed Balls, Yvette is known for her expertise in economics and dedication to social justice, remaining a significant and respected figure in British politics.

Home Secretary

The first duty of the government is to keep citizens safe and the country secure. The Home Office has been at the front line of this endeavour since 1782. As such, the Home Office plays a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of the United Kingdom. Home Office is a ministerial department, supported by 30 agencies and public bodies.

Home Office

The Home Office, also known as the Home Department, is a ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. As such, it is responsible for policing in England and Wales, fire and rescue services in England, visas and immigration, and the Security Service