Bridget Phillipson: Labour MP and Secretary of State for Education

Bridget is the Labour Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South; one of three constituencies in the City of Sunderland. She was first elected to the seat on 6 May 2010, and was most recently re-elected at the 2024 General Election. She is also the Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities.

Short biography

Bridget was born and raised in Washington, attending local schools and joining the Labour Party aged 15. After reading Modern History at Hertford College, Oxford – where she was also Co-Chair of the University Labour Club – Bridget returned to the North East. Before becoming an MP, Bridget managed a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Since her election in 2010, Bridget has served as an Opposition Whip, and on a number of Parliamentary select committees, including the high-profile Public Accounts Committee. In April 2020 she joined the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, before being appointed Shadow Education Secretary in November 2021. In July 2024, she was appointed Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Bridget is married with two children