About

Kate Dearden MP

Member of Parliament for Halifax & Minister for the Future of Work

Kate Dearden is the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Halifax and serves as Minister of State for the Future of Work in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. She was appointed to the role in July 2026, having previously served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection and as an Assistant Government Whip following her election to Parliament in 2024.

Born and raised in Bingley, West Yorkshire, Kate lives in Halifax and comes from a hardworking Yorkshire family. She has spent her career standing up for working people. Before entering Parliament, she worked for the Community trade union, where she developed policy on industrial strategy, manufacturing, skills, emerging technologies and workers’ rights. She studied International Relations at the University of Edinburgh before going on to represent workers and communities across the country through her trade union work.

Since being elected in July 2024, Kate has focused on delivering practical improvements for communities across Halifax. Alongside holding regular cost-of-living advice surgeries to help residents access the support they are entitled to, she has secured £20 million of investment for Mixenden and Illingworth, successfully campaigned to secure a further year of funding for Halifax’s Youth Employment Hub, helped deliver government-funded breakfast clubs across the constituency, and supported the major redevelopment of Calderdale Royal Hospital, a transformational project that will nearly double the size of the hospital and improve healthcare services for local people. She has also hosted local jobs fairs, connecting residents with employers and opportunities, and worked to ensure that national government policies deliver real benefits for communities across Halifax.

Kate has also led campaigns on issues raised directly by residents, from supporting local high streets and tackling anti-social behaviour to improving local infrastructure. After hearing concerns from residents and businesses in Sowerby Bridge, she successfully campaigned for Yorkshire Water to bring forward planned mains renewal works by two years, securing action sooner on a longstanding local issue.

As a Minister, Kate played a leading role in delivering the Employment Rights Act, the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, introducing stronger workplace protections, day-one rights for workers and the Fair Work Agency. She has also led work on labour market reform, consumer protection, the future impact of AI on work, and the Government’s review of fireworks regulations.

Kate’s priorities remain rooted in Halifax: supporting working families, backing local businesses, revitalising town centres, making communities safer, strengthening public services and ensuring that Halifax secures the investment and opportunities it deserves.