Barbara Follett, MP for Stevenage, was first elected in 1997. This is Ms Follett’s first Ministerial appointment.
Barbara was a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tessa Jowell as Minister for Women 2005-06 and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 2006-07 and to Ruth Kelly as Minister for Women 2006-07.
Barbara was a member of the Commons Select Committee for International Development 1997-2001 and Modernisation of the House of Commons 2001-05.
Barbara has been on the following Commons backbench committees: - Vice-chair PLP Departmental Committee for Trade and Industry 1997-2000, 2002-04;- PLP Eastern Regional Group:Chair 1999-2006, Hon Secretary 2006-;- Chair PLP Committee for Women from 2005.
Barbara, Born in Jamaica in 1942, lives in Knebworth with her husband, author Ken Follett and their two dogs. Between them they have five children and two grandchildren.
In her own words:
"The East of England is a region of great contrast and beauty which I am privileged to have been asked to champion inside, and outside, of Parliament.
Its wonderful scenery and rich built heritage make the East of England a favourite tourist destination. But the Region is also home to some of the most technologically advanced industries in the world, including renewables.
Innovation, skills, cohesion and tackling deprivation are some of the key priorities in the East. Transparent and housing are others. The face that the Region already has Three Growth Areas and Three new Growth Points highlights the importance of these last two.
But, though everyone in the East of England agrees, that growth is a good and necessary thing. They are determined that it will be sustainable for its environment and its people.
Over the next few weeks and months I’ll be meeting with regional partners, including Government Office for the East and the Regional Development Agency, as well as then working closely with the local authorities that make up the East of England.
This is a great opportunity for me, and shows that the Government nationally, recognises the importance of the regions."
Government Office for the East of England
The Government Office for the East of England works with organisations across the East of England to deliver the Government’s policies and programmes in the region.
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