Personal

Born in Luton, December 1978. One of six children in total (one adopted).

Attended Wenlock, Ashcroft and Bedford schools and Hull University.

Lived in China 2001-03.

Lives in Walworth, SE17 with wife, Sarah (married 2014), and daughter Esme. Previously lived in Grange, Cathedrals and Newington wards in SE1. Sarah is a Landscape Architect who has lived and worked in Southwark since 2005.

UK career

Worked at Government equality commission, 2003-07, finishing as Policy Manager for health and social care.

Head of Policy at National Centre for Independent Living, 2007-09

Director of Policy at Disability Alliance 2009-12

Director of Policy and Campaigns at Disability Rights UK, 2012-13

Political roles

Newington ward Councillor, London Borough of Southwark, 2010-16

Chair of Health and Adult Social Care scrutiny committee 2010-11

Vice-chair of the Walworth Community Council 2010-11

Deputy Cabinet member, London Borough of Southwark 2011-13

Labour parliamentary candidate for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, 2013-15

Deputy Mayor of Southwark, 2014-15

Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark May 2015-Present

Work and Pensions Select Committee, 2016-Present

Foreign Affairs Committee, 2020-Present

Contributing locally

I was Southwark Council's Deputy Cabinet Member for Welfare, helping shape the council's policies and reaction to Simon Hughes' Government cuts to local disabled people and families on low incomes. I helped establish a Hardship Fund to support our most disadvantaged friends and neighbours.

I also helped found the Walworth Society - ensuring local people get a greater voice in planning and regeneration issues in particular, but also providing greater voice and focus at local level.

I am also a Trustee for the North Southwark Environment Trust - helping fund local educational and environmental projects across the north of Southwark, including the Alf Salter replacement statue campaign.

I have also worked to establish new tenants and residents' associations to ensure a stronger, local voice.