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Andrew Stephenson

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For other people named Andrew Stevenson, see Andrew Stevenson (disambiguation).

The Right Honourable
Andrew Stephenson
CBE
Official portrait, 2020
Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care
In office
13 November 2023 – 5 July 2024
Prime MinisterRishi Sunak
Preceded byWill Quince
Succeeded byKarin Smyth
Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
In office
27 October 2022 – 13 November 2023
Prime MinisterRishi Sunak
In office
9 January 2018 – 26 July 2018
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byDavid Evennett
Succeeded byMike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Communities
In office
20 September 2022 – 27 October 2022
Prime MinisterLiz Truss
Preceded byEddie Hughes
Succeeded byFelicity Buchan
Chairman of the Conservative Party
Minister without Portfolio
In office
7 July 2022 – 6 September 2022
Serving with Ben Elliot
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byOliver Dowden
Succeeded byJake Berry
Minister of State for Transport
In office
13 February 2020 – 7 July 2022
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byGeorge Freeman
Succeeded byTrudy Harrison
Minister of State for Africa and International Development
In office
25 July 2019 – 13 February 2020
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byHarriett Baldwin
Succeeded byJames Duddridge
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Industry
In office
4 April 2019 – 25 July 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byRichard Harrington
Succeeded byNadhim Zahawi
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
In office
26 July 2018 – 4 April 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byMark Spencer
Succeeded byCraig Whittaker
Member of Parliament
for Pendle
In office
6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024
Preceded byGordon Prentice
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born (1981-02-17) 17 February 1981 (age 43)
Manchester, England
Political partyConservative
Residence(s)Colne, Lancashire
Alma materRoyal Holloway, University of London
OccupationPolitician
WebsiteOfficial website

Andrew George Stephenson CBE FRSA (born 17 February 1981) is a former British politician who most recently served as Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care from November 2023 to July 2024.[1] A member of the Conservative Party, he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pendle in Lancashire from 2010 until 2024.

Stephenson served continuously in different ministerial roles from 2017 to 2024.[2] Including serving as Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister without Portfolio, attending Cabinet, from July to September 2022.[3] He was subsequently appointed as a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council on 8 July, entitling him to the style "The Right Honourable" for life and appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for political and public service.

Early life and career

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Stephenson was born on 17 February 1981 in Manchester, England to Malcolm and Ann Stephenson.[4][5] His father and grandfather worked for British Rail, in the North East of England, before the family moved to the North West in the 1960s.[6]

He attended Poynton High School, a state comprehensive school. Stephenson was the first in his family to go to university and studied for a degree in Management Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London, graduating in 2002.[7][8] He has a Postgraduate Certificate from the University of Derby in Sustainability and Environmental Management, a Masters of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Leeds and is a Associate of the Chartered Management Institute.

While at school, Stephenson had wanted to become a chef. He took part in the South Trafford College Super Chef competition, was awarded a bronze medal in the Northern Salon culinary competition and participated in the North West Regional Finals of BBC Junior Masterchef.[citation needed]

After graduating from university, Stephenson worked as an insurance broker and later partner at Stephenson & Threader.[7][9]

Stephenson joined the Conservative Party at the age of 16.[10] He served two terms on the National Executive of Conservative Future, and was the organisation's national deputy chairman from 2001 to 2002. He was also the chairman of the Royal Holloway's Conservative Future society, from 1999 to 2001.[11] Stephenson climbed the Great Wall of China in September 2008, having raised more than £5,000 for charity.[12]

Stephenson was a councillor for Macclesfield Borough Council from 2003 to 2007.[7] At the age of 25, he became the chair of the Tatton Conservative association, the youngest person to lead a local Conservative association.[13] He was selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate (PPC) for Pendle in September 2006.[7]

Parliamentary career

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He was elected in the general election of 2010, with a majority of 3,585 (8.0%) votes. The seat had been previously held by Labour MP Gordon Prentice since 1992.[14][15] Stephenson delivered his maiden speech in a debate on 'Building a High-Skilled Economy' on 17 June 2010.[16]

On 13 October 2010, Stephenson was one of 37 Conservative MP's to rebel on a motion to approve Britain's EU budget contribution, voting for an amendment which read "is concerned at the above-inflation increase being made to Britain's EU budget contribution; believes that, at a time when the Government is poised to make reductions in public spending elsewhere, it is wrong to increase that contribution; and calls on the Government to reduce Britain's EU budget contribution."[17]

Stephenson served as a Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for Youth from 2010 to 2013 [18] He was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), to Robert Halfon, Minister without Portfolio and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party in 2015.[19] Stephenson later also became PPS to Minister of State for Security Sir John Hayes, and Minister of State for Policing Mike Penning. In July 2016, he became PPS to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.[20]

Stephenson voted for the UK to leave the European Union in the 2016 UK Brexit referendum, campaigning with Vote Leave.[21] 63% of Pendle residents voted to leave the EU.[22]

Following the 2017 general election, Stephenson was appointed as an Assistant Government Whip by Prime Minister Theresa May. In January 2018, Stephenson was promoted to become a Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury in the cabinet reshuffle, before becoming Vice-Chamberlain of the Household in July 2018.[23]

Between January 2018 and April 2019, Stephenson was the Government Pairing Whip, responsible for approving or refusing the absence requests of all Conservative MPs and negotiating 'pairs' with opposition Parties.[24]

In April 2019, Stephenson was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Business and Industry) at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.[25] In this role he was responsible for sectors including aerospace, automotive, materials (including steel), professional and business services, nuclear, infrastructure and construction. Alongside the Secretary of State, he led the government response to British Steel entering administration in May 2019.[26] He was also responsible for Sector Deals and launched the Tourism Sector Deal in June 2019.[27]

Stephenson backed Boris Johnson in the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election[28] and was his North West Regional MP Campaign Co-ordinator.[29]

In July 2019, following the formation of the first Johnson ministry, Stephenson was appointed as Minister of State for Africa and International Development.[30] His first visits to the region were to South Sudan[31] and Uganda.[32] Stephenson was also responsible for UK consular affairs policy globally, which included dealing with issues such as the major repatriation effort following the collapse of Thomas Cook in September 2019.

In February 2020, during the first cabinet reshuffle of the second Johnson ministry, Stephenson was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department for Transport, responsible for HS2, the Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail projects. His appointment came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would appoint a Minister to "restore discipline" to HS2.[33] In his first speech on HS2, which he made in Manchester, Stephenson set out how he would get the project back on track, with monthly cross-government meetings like those that were put in place for the Olympics.[34][35] His speech was welcomed by many supporters of the project including the Yorkshire Post, who said, "Stephenson's rocket will fire up HS2 at last".[36] In November 2021, the Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands, the biggest ever government investment in Britain's rail network was unveiled [37] and in March 2022, Stephenson confirmed that HS2 was supporting over 22,000 jobs.[38]

Stephenson served as Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister without Portfolio, attending Cabinet, from July to September 2022. He was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities from 20 September 2022 to 27 October 2022. Returned to the Government Whips office as Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury from 27 October 2022 to 13 November 2023, before being appointed Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care.

On 19 July 2022, Stephenson was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council, becoming the 1,336th and final person, to be sworn during the reign of Elizabeth II.[39][40]

Stephenson was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for political and public service.[41]

In the 2024 general election, he stood in Pendle and Clitheroe but lost to Labours Jonathan Hinder.[42]

Constituency campaigns

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On 12 October 2010, less than six months after being first elected, Stephenson led a debate in the House of Commons which focused on the murder of three Pendle residents—Mohammed Yousaf, Pervez Yousaf and Tania Yousaf—who were killed in Pakistan on 20 May 2010. Over 100 Pendle residents travelled to London to watch the debate from the public gallery.[43][44] Stephenson maintains an interest in the case often raising it with the British and Pakistani Authorities.[45] Stephenson served as the Chairman of the Pakistan All Party Parliamentary Group 2010–2015.[46]

On 28 June 2011, Stephenson proposed his first piece of legislation, The Bail (Amendment) Bill. The Private Members Bill sought to create a right of appeal against Crown Court bail decisions and followed the murder of his constituent, Jane Clough, by her partner who was out on bail. Working with Jane's parents, John and Penny Clough MBE, Stephenson was successful in getting the law changed and this additional safeguard was introduced in 2012.[47][48][49]

In September 2014, Stephenson was involved in setting up an All Party Parliamentary Group for Water Safety and Drowning Prevention, following the accidental death of one of his constituents.[50]

Stephenson holds an annual Job Fair at Colne Muni and campaigned for a National Living Wage, which was introduced in 2016. He has long championed the regeneration of Brierfield Mills,[51] helping secure millions of pounds to bring the site into public ownership and enable its £32 million transformation into 'Northlight'.[52] In 2019 Prime Minister Theresa May visited Pendle to open the £4.5 million 'Leisure Box' which is part of the redevelopment.[53]

Stephenson has also campaigned for more transport investment in Pendle. In April 2017, he led a House of Commons debate on re-opening the Colne to Skipton Railway line[54] and in 2018 secured a government feasibility study into this "missing link".[55]  Stephenson has also been vocal about traffic congestion in Colne and in 2019 secured another study into looking at possible solutions.[56] Stephenson successfully campaigned for action to be taken to tackle flooding on the M65, work that was undertaken in early 2020.[57] In September 2020, a £1 million scheme to improve congestion through Colne, funded by the Department for Transport's national productivity infrastructure fund got underway [58]

Stephenson has campaigned for more funding for local NHS services. In 2014, a new Health Centre opened in Colne[59] and a new Accident and Emergency Department at Airedale Hospital.[60] In 2023, the Health Secretary announced that Airedale Hospital would be totally rebuilt and paid tribute to Stephenson and other local MPs.[61] Meanwhile, more than £60 million of improvements have been made at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, including the £15 million Phase 8 development which opened in 2019.[62][63]

In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Stephenson spent over 1,000 hours volunteering with the North West Ambulance Service and as a COVID-19 vaccinator.[64][65][66] In March 2021, whilst working as a volunteer vaccinator at Blackburn Cathedral, Stephenson vaccinated Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans MP.[67] In June 2022, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his NHS volunteering.[68]

Stephenson has secured the visits of number of high-profile politicians to Pendle during his time as the MP. As Prime Minister David Cameron visited Hope Technology in Barnoldswick in 2013,[69] ACDC in Barrowford in 2015,[70] and Silentnight in Barnoldswick for a Q&A with the workforce in 2016.[71] Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre in Colne in 2023.[72] He also had then-Mayor of London Boris Johnson pulling pints in the Alma Inn in Colne in 2015.[73]

In 2019, he took part in a Charity Sleep out on top of Pendle Hill to raise money for a local homelessness charity.[74]

Personal life

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Stephenson has spoken openly about how his own health problems, including a gangrenous appendix in 2014 [75] and having his gallbladder removed in 2016 [76] led him to become a volunteer community first responder with North West Ambulance Service, providing life-saving care before an ambulance arrives.[77][78]

References

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  1. ^ "Ministerial appointments: November 2023". GOV.UK. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  2. ^ "The Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson CBE". GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Ministerial appointments: July 2022". GOV.UK. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  4. ^ Stephenson, Andrew George. A & C Black. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U251670. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Pendle". UK Polling Report. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2". GOV.UK. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d "Andrew Stephenson". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  8. ^ "Election highs for Royal Holloway alumni". Royal Holloway, University of London. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011.
  9. ^ "News review: May". Insurance Age. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  10. ^ Moseley, Tom (29 April 2010). "The fight to be next Pendle MP". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  11. ^ "Andrew Stephenson MP is appointed as Vice Chairman with responsibility for Conservative Future and CCHQ's youth outreach". Conservative Home. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Colne politician's walk raises £5,000 for charities". lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  13. ^ "New Model Tories: Tory tribes". The Independent. 24 September 2006. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Pendle". BBC News. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Labour revolt against Gordon Brown: The plotters". The Daily Telegraph. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  16. ^ Westminster, Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons. "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 17 Jun 2010 (pt 0018)". www.publications.parliament.uk.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "The Public Whip — Draft EU Budget 2011 – 13 Oct 2010 at 20:24". www.publicwhip.org.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Andrew Stephenson MP is appointed as Vice Chairman with responsibility for Conservative Future and CCHQ's youth outreach". Gazette. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  19. ^ "List of Parliamentary Private Secretaries: a reply from No.10". University of Lincoln. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  20. ^ "MP will be Boris's 'eyes and ears'". Pendle Today. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  21. ^ "EU vote: Where the cabinet and other MPs stand". BBC News. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Every Lancashire district backs Brexit". BBC News. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Andrew Stephenson MP". parliament.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  24. ^ "MP gains new role in government". Lancashire Telegraph. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Andrew Stephenson MP". GOV.UK. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  26. ^ "'No stone unturned' to support British Steel amid collapse fears, says government". Sky News. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  27. ^ "Minister for Business and Industry visits Oxford as part of Tourism Sector Deal Announcement – Experience Oxfordshire". 28 June 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson is backing Boris". www.burnleyexpress.net. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  29. ^ Moffitt, Dominic (1 July 2019). "Pendle MP announced as Boris Johnson's north west campaign manager". LancsLive. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  30. ^ "Andrew Stephenson MP". parliament.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  31. ^ Possible, We Will Respond as Soon as. "UK aid to provide vital food to hundreds of thousands of people living on the edge of famine in South Sudan". GOV.UK. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  32. ^ "Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces – The Mighty UPDF". Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  33. ^ "HS2: Stephenson given new rail link role". BBC News. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  34. ^ "Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2". GOV.UK. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  35. ^ "Manchester may get high-speed rail before Leeds, HS2 minister suggests". The Guardian. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  36. ^ "Stephenson's rocket will fire up HS2 at last – The Yorkshire Post says". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  37. ^ "Integrated Rail Plan: biggest ever public investment in Britain's rail network will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys across North and Midlands". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  38. ^ "HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament: March 2022". GOV.UK. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  39. ^ "House of Commons Hansard".
  40. ^ "Privy Council members". Privy Council. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  41. ^ "No. 63918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2022. p. N11.
  42. ^ "Labour cops a narrow win over health minister in redrawn seat". Lancashire Telegraph. 5 July 2024. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Commons debate on Pakistan killing of Nelson family". BBC News. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  44. ^ "British woman murdered in Pakistan was shot 100 times, MP says". The Guardian. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  45. ^ "MP demands justice for Pendle family murdered in Pakistan". www.pendletoday.co.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  46. ^ "High Commission for Pakistan, London". www.phclondon.org. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  47. ^ "Prime Minister pays tribute to parents of murdered Barrowford nurse". www.pendletoday.co.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  48. ^ "Jane Clough murder: Government could change bail law". BBC News. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  49. ^ "Jane Clough murder: PM says 'strong case' to change law". BBC News. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  50. ^ Adams, Chris (25 September 2014). "East Lancs MPs set up new water safety group to prevent future deaths". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  51. ^ "Public to have say on the future of Brierfield mill". Lancashire Telegraph. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  52. ^ "Mills redevelopment gets a £400,000 grant kickstart". www.burnleyexpress.net. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  53. ^ "Theresa May officially opens Leisure Box – Burnley FC in the Community". www.burnleyfccommunity.org. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  54. ^ "Colne to Skipton Railway – Hansard". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  55. ^ "Fresh government study into 'missing link' railway between Skipton and Colne given enthusiastic welcome". Craven Herald. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  56. ^ "Transport Secretary Chris Grayling hands huge boost to road and rail improvements for Pendle". www.burnleyexpress.net. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  57. ^ "New speed limit to be imposed on M65 between Burnley and Colne". www.burnleyexpress.net. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  58. ^ "£1m. scheme to boost safety and cut congestion in Colne begins today". Clitheroe Advertiser and Times. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  59. ^ "MP's hope for new Colne Health Centre". Lancashire Telegraph. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  60. ^ "MP impressed by progress of new A&E unit". Lancashire Telegraph. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  61. ^ "Minister sees state of crumbling hospital for himself ahead of rebuild". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  62. ^ "Ground breaking marks construction milestone for Burnley Hospital development :: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust". elht.nhs.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  63. ^ "Major £15.6 million development at Burnley hospital opens". Lancashire Telegraph. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  64. ^ "North West MPs join the fight against coronavirus". ITV News. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  65. ^ "Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson says the NHS needs more volunteer community first responders". Craven Herald. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  66. ^ "Pendle MP rolls his sleeves up as volunteer vaccinator". www.burnleyexpress.net. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  67. ^ "Covid: MP Nigel Evans vaccinated by MP Andrew Stephenson". BBC News. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  68. ^ "Pendle MP awarded Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of years of NHS service". Lancashire Telegraph. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  69. ^ "Prime Minister makes bike pledge to Barnoldswick firm Hope Technology". Craven Herald. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  70. ^ "PHOTOS: Prime Minister David Cameron in Barrowford". www.lep.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  71. ^ "David Cameron praises Silentnight in House of Commons". www.furniturenews.net. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  72. ^ "Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits East Lancashire". Lancashire Telegraph. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  73. ^ "Pub drinkers surprised as political heavyweight Boris Johnson pops in for a pint". Lancashire Telegraph. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  74. ^ "Kind weather forecast for Pendle Hill sleepout". Kind weather forecast for Pendle Hill sleepout. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  75. ^ "Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson is out of hospital". Lancashire Telegraph. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  76. ^ "MP recovering after operation". www.pendletoday.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  77. ^ "Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson helping society as first responder". Lancashire Telegraph. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  78. ^ "List of Ministers' Interests – November 2021" (PDF). GOV.UK. 5 November 2021.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Pendle
2010–2024 		Constituency abolished
Political offices
Preceded by Minister without Portfolio
2022 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Conservative Party
2022 		Succeeded by
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