New Minister for Disabled People Announced in Government Reshuffle- Mark Harper MP

Comms Team

16/07/14

On July 15^th the Prime Minister, David Cameron, underwent a thorough reshuffle of his cabinet, moving prominent members like Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP and Rt. Hon William Hague MP out and bringing in more women in preparation for the General Election in May 2015.

An important change for Livability was the appointment of Conservative MP for Forest Dean, Mark Harper, to the position of Minister for Disabled People, to replace Mike Penning MP who has become Minister of State for Policing. Below is a mini profile of Mark Harper MP which should tell you everything you need to know.

PROFILE Mark Harper MP, Minister for Disabled People

Background

He was educated in Swindon before reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University
He went on to be a chartered accountant for KPMG and then went on to work for Intel Corporation
He was first elected as MP in 2005
He served as Shadow Minister for Defence from 2005-2007
He has some experience with disability issues as he served as Shadow Minister for Disabled People from 2007-2010
In 2012 he was appointed as Minister of State for Immigration, a post from which he had to resign in 2014 following controversy

Voting record

In the past he has voted ‘very strongly for’ greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties
He also voted ‘very strongly for’ a reduction in spending on welfare benefits
He voted ‘very strongly for’ a reduction in local government funding

For more information on his voting record see here.

For more information on Mark Harper MP’s background- see links below:

Follow his Twitter profile here: @Mark_J_Harper