Biography

Phil Woolas was born in Scunthorpe, brought up in Burnley, went to school and college in Nelson, to university in Manchester, his family live in Cumbria and he represent Oldham East and Saddleworth. As Minister for Local Government and Regeneration, he got to know Merseyside and Cheshire well. He has strong links to the region and a great affection for it and see it as his job as Regional Minister to champion the North West in Whitehall and Europe. The opportunity to redress the inequalities with the South is something he has devoted his political life to and will continue to do so.

Phil Woolas began in local politics when he was 16 by getting involved in a campaign to get a pelican crossing outside his school. He says he’s in politics “to fight for equality and the belief that if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us".

Educated at Manchester University, he worked in television (where he became Jeremy Paxman’s producer). Then for 10 years worked as a national officer for the GMB union.

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Phil says his best achievement in Parliament was being one of the team who introduced the national minimum wage. Locally, he is proud of getting £5 million grants for disabled school students’ equipment. His successful campaign for the new cancer centre in Oldham comes a close second.

Phil spends nearly every weekend in Oldham. On weekdays he is in Parliament and on his ministerial duties. He loves the job and prizes the common sense of Oldhamers as an antidote to the heated world of politics.

Football is a passion. Phil is a lifelong Manchester United fan (including "when we were relegated!"). Many agree Phil’s intervention saved Rugby League in Oldham when he persuaded the taxman to hold off from the Roughyeds. He has also championed the cause of Oldham Athletic.

Phil is the North West’s voice in Government. He is married to Tracey and has two sons. He lives in Oldham  and London.  

He is also Minister of State at the Home Office responsible for borders and immigration.