Emma Reynolds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emma Reynolds
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | |
| Assumed office 5 September 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Steve Reed |
| Economic Secretary to the Treasury City Minister |
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| In office 14 January 2025 – 5 September 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Tulip Siddiq |
| Succeeded by | Lucy Rigby |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions | |
| In office 9 July 2024 – 14 January 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Paul Maynard |
| Succeeded by | Torsten Bell |
| Parliamentary Secretary for the Treasury | |
| In office 9 July 2024 – 14 January 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | The Baroness Vere of Norbiton |
| Succeeded by | Torsten Bell |
| Member of Parliament | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Baker |
| Constituency | Wycombe |
| In office 6 May 2010 – 6 November 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Ken Purchase |
| Succeeded by | Jane Stevenson |
| Constituency | Wolverhampton North East |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 November 1977 Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Alma mater | Wadham College, Oxford (BA) |
Emma Elizabeth Reynolds (born 2 November 1977) is a British politician from the Labour Party. She has been the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since 5 September 2025. Before this, she worked as the Economic Secretary and City Minister from January to September 2025.
Emma Reynolds became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Wycombe in 2024. She had also been an MP for Wolverhampton North East from 2010 to 2019. When she was not an MP between 2019 and 2024, she worked to help businesses share their ideas with the government.
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Who is Emma Reynolds?
Emma Reynolds is a well-known figure in British politics. She has held several important roles in the government and in the opposition party. Her work often involves looking after the economy, the environment, and local communities.
Her Early Life and Education
Emma Reynolds was born on 2 November 1977 in Wolverhampton, England. She went to Codsall High School and then Wulfrun College.
Studying at Oxford University
Later, Emma studied at Wadham College at the University of Oxford. There, she learned about Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Her stepfather was a teacher at Concord College, a boarding school near Shrewsbury.
Starting Her Career in Politics
After finishing her studies, Emma Reynolds began her career in politics and public service. She worked in different roles that helped her understand how government works.
Working in Brussels and London
From 2001 to 2004, Emma worked in Brussels as an adviser to Robin Cook, a senior politician. She also set up a business in Brussels to help British companies talk to officials about EU laws. Later, she worked in Downing Street and the House of Commons. She was a special adviser to Geoff Hoon, who was a government minister at the time. In 2009, she joined a company that gives advice to other businesses.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Emma Reynolds first became a Member of Parliament in 2010. This was a big step in her political journey.
Representing Wolverhampton North East
In 2008, Emma was chosen to be the Labour candidate for Wolverhampton North East. She won the election in 2010 and became the MP for that area. She spoke in Parliament about important topics like improving schools and providing free school meals. She also worked on issues affecting police and health services.
Important Roles in Parliament
Soon after becoming an MP, Emma joined the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. This group of MPs looks closely at how the government handles international relations. In October 2010, she was promoted to a "shadow" role, meaning she was part of the opposition team that watched over the government's foreign policy. She later became the Shadow Europe Minister and then the Shadow Housing Minister. In 2015, she became the Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary.
Emma was also involved in special groups in Parliament. These groups bring together MPs from different parties who are interested in specific topics or countries, like the All-Party Parliamentary China Group and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Sikhs.
After Parliament and Return
Emma Reynolds lost her seat in the 2019 election. However, she continued to work in public life and later returned to Parliament.
Working for Financial Businesses
After leaving Parliament in 2019, Emma became a Managing Director at TheCityUK. This group works to represent the interests of the financial sector to the UK Government. In this role, she helped financial businesses share their views with government officials.
Elected Again for Wycombe
In November 2022, Emma Reynolds was chosen to be the Labour candidate for Wycombe. She won the election in 2024, becoming the first Labour MP for Wycombe since 1950. She was also the first woman Labour MP for that area.
Her Views on Europe
Emma Reynolds has always believed that Britain being part of the European Union was good for the country. In 2011, she wrote that it was in Britain's "national interest" to be a member. She also supported closer cooperation among countries that use the euro currency. During the 2016 vote on whether the UK should leave the EU, she campaigned for Britain to remain.
Outside of Work
When she is not working, Emma Reynolds enjoys running and used to play football. She also likes visiting pubs and going to the cinema. Emma married Richard Stevens in April 2016. They have two sons, born in 2017 and 2019.
