Matt Hancock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matt Hancock
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Secretary of State for Health and Social Care | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 9 July 2018 – 26 June 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Theresa May Boris Johnson |
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| Preceded by | Jeremy Hunt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Sajid Javid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 8 January 2018 – 9 July 2018 |
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| Prime Minister | Theresa May | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Karen Bradley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Jeremy Wright | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minister for the Cabinet Office Paymaster General |
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| In office 11 May 2015 – 14 July 2016 |
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| Prime Minister | David Cameron | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Francis Maude | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Ben Gummer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of Parliament for West Suffolk |
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| In office 6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Spring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Nick Timothy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
Matthew John David Hancock
2 October 1978 Chester, Cheshire, England |
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| Political party | Conservative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Martha Hoyer Millar
(m. 2006; separated 2021) |
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| Domestic partner | Gina Coladangelo (2021–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater |
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| Signature |  |
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Matthew John David Hancock (born 2 October 1978) is a British former politician. He served in important government roles, including Secretary of State for Health and Social Care from 2018 to 2021. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for West Suffolk from 2010 to 2024. He is a member of the Conservative Party.
Before becoming an MP, Hancock worked as an economist at the Bank of England. He also advised George Osborne, a senior politician. Hancock was first elected as an MP in 2010.
During his time in Parliament, he held several junior minister positions. He became a full cabinet minister in 2015. In 2018, he was promoted to Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Later that year, he became Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
His time as Health Secretary was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. He helped lead the government's response, including getting supplies and expanding testing. He also oversaw the start of the UK's vaccination program. He resigned in June 2021 after breaking social distancing rules. In November 2022, he appeared on a reality TV show, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. He did not run for re-election as an MP in 2024.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Matthew Hancock was born on 2 October 1978 in Chester, Cheshire, England. His parents, Michael Hancock and Shirley Hills, ran a software business. He has an older sister and a brother.
Hancock went to Farndon County Primary School. He then attended the King's School, Chester, a private school. He studied Maths, Physics, Computing, and Economics for his A-levels. He also studied computing at West Cheshire College.
He later went to the University of Oxford, where he earned a first-class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). He also got a Master of Philosophy degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge. He found out he had dyslexia while at university. Hancock joined the Conservative Party in 1999.
Early Career Steps
After university, Hancock worked briefly for his family's computer software company. He also worked for a Conservative MP. Then, he moved to London to work as an economist at the Bank of England. He focused on the housing market there.
In 2005, he became an economic adviser to George Osborne. Osborne was a very important politician at the time. Later, Hancock became Osborne's chief of staff, which is a top assistant role.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Hancock was chosen as the Conservative candidate for West Suffolk in January 2010. He won the election for West Suffolk in the 2010 general election. He received 50.6% of the votes.
In June 2010, Hancock was elected to the Public Accounts Committee. This committee checks how the government spends money. He also served on the Standards and Privileges Committee.
In October 2013, Hancock became a junior minister. He joined the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. His role was Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise.
In June 2014, Hancock encouraged businesses to offer more apprenticeships. These programs allow young people to learn skills and earn money at the same time.
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On 15 July 2014, Hancock was appointed Minister of State for Business and Enterprise. He also served as Minister of State for Energy from 2014 to 2015.
At the 2015 general election, Hancock was re-elected as MP for West Suffolk. He won with an even larger share of the votes.
Hancock became Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General on 11 May 2015. He worked to promote diversity within the civil service. He also led a taskforce to help young people find work or study.
In the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership, Hancock supported the UK staying in the European Union.
Hancock was re-elected as MP for West Suffolk in the 2017 general election and again in the 2019 general election. Each time, he won with more votes.
Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary
On 15 July 2016, Hancock became Minister of State for Digital and Culture. This was after Theresa May became prime minister. He worked on improving digital services across the UK.
In August 2017, Hancock helped strengthen UK data protection laws. This meant people had more control over their personal information.
On 8 January 2018, Hancock was promoted to Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. This is a very important role in the government. He was the first MP to launch his own mobile app. The app was designed to help him communicate with people in his local area.
Health and Social Care Secretary
Leading the Health Department
On 9 July 2018, Hancock became Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for England. This meant he was in charge of the country's health system.
In April 2019, Hancock faced criticism for allowing some NHS contracts to be given to private companies. He had previously said there would be "no privatisation on my watch" for the NHS.
Running for Conservative Leader
In May 2019, Theresa May announced she would resign as prime minister. Hancock then announced he wanted to become the leader of the Conservative Party. This would also make him prime minister.
He withdrew from the race in June 2019. He then supported Boris Johnson to become the new leader.
Early Time Under Boris Johnson
Hancock continued as Health Secretary in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government.
In November 2019, Hancock publicly apologized to Bethany, a teenager with autism. She had been kept in solitary confinement in psychiatric facilities. Hancock called her case "heart-rending" and promised a review of similar cases.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
On 31 January 2020, COVID-19 was confirmed in the UK. Hancock played a key role in the government's response. He warned that strict actions might be needed to control the virus.
On 27 March 2020, Hancock himself tested positive for COVID-19. He self-isolated for seven days.
In April 2020, Hancock set a target for 100,000 daily COVID-19 tests. He faced criticism when the way tests were counted was changed to meet this goal.
Doctors and MPs also criticized Hancock regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff. Some staff had to use improvised gear due to shortages.
On 5 April 2020, Hancock warned that outdoor exercise could be banned if people did not follow social distancing rules.
In August 2020, it was reported that Hancock would merge Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace. This created a new body called the UK Health Security Agency.
In February 2021, a High Court judge ruled that Hancock had acted unlawfully. This was because he did not publish details of PPE contracts quickly enough. The details were published within 47 days, instead of the required 30.
In April 2021, it was reported that Hancock had shares in a company owned by his sister. This company provided services to NHS England. A report later said this could be a "conflict of interest." Hancock said he did not know about the contract decision.
In May 2021, former Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings criticized Hancock's handling of the pandemic. Prime Minister Johnson defended Hancock.
A High Court ruling in April 2022 found that policies for discharging patients into care homes without testing them were unlawful. The judges said the risk of spreading COVID-19 from people without symptoms was not considered enough.
Resignation from Health Secretary Role
On 25 June 2021, it was revealed that Hancock had broken COVID-19 social distancing rules with an aide in his office. The government's rules allowed close contact only from 17 May.
Hancock apologized for "letting people down." He resigned on 26 June, stating that those who make the rules must follow them. Sajid Javid replaced him as Health Secretary.
The news caused public anger. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group warned that Hancock's actions could make people less likely to follow COVID-19 rules.
Return to Being a Regular MP
On 12 October 2021, Hancock announced he would be a special representative for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. This was an unpaid role. However, the United Nations withdrew the offer four days later.
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hancock welcomed seven Ukrainian refugees into his home in Suffolk in May 2022. This was part of the "Homes for Ukraine" scheme.
In December 2022, he announced he would not seek re-election as an MP. He finished his term as an MP on 30 May 2024.
In June 2023, Hancock was told to apologize to Parliament. He had broken rules by trying to influence an investigation into another MP.
Pandemic Diaries Book
In April 2022, it was announced that Hancock would publish a book called Pandemic Diaries. It was about his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book was co-written by Isabel Oakeshott. Royalties from the book were planned to be donated to NHS charities.
The book was based on Hancock's memories and records of communications. It discussed his decisions during the pandemic.
Appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
Hancock was a contestant on the 22nd series of the reality TV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. This show was filmed while Parliament was in session. He said he wanted to raise awareness for his dyslexia campaign. He also wanted to show his "human side" to a wider audience.
Hancock joined the show on 9 November 2022. He was questioned by other contestants about his time as Health Secretary. He expressed regret for breaking social distancing rules. However, he said he did not regret his political decisions during the pandemic.
On 27 November 2022, Hancock reached the final of the show. He finished in third place.
Public Reaction to the Show
Hancock's participation in the show received mixed reactions. The Conservative Party suspended his whip. This meant he was no longer officially part of their parliamentary group.
An online petition to stop Hancock from appearing on the show gained many signatures. Groups representing families affected by COVID-19 also protested his appearance.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was "disappointed" by Hancock's decision to join the show. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards received many complaints about Hancock being on the show.
Hancock did not consult a special committee about post-ministerial jobs before joining the show. This broke government rules. However, the committee advised against taking further action.
On 23 May 2024, Rishi Sunak restored the whip to Hancock.
Personal Life
Hancock married Martha Hoyer Millar in 2006. They have a daughter and two sons. In June 2021, it was reported that he had left his wife. He confirmed he was with Gina Coladangelo during his time on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.
During his time as an MP, Hancock lived in his local area and also had a flat in London.
Hancock trained as a jockey in 2012. He won a horse race in Newmarket. He supports Newcastle United football club.
Hancock has dyslexia, which he discovered while studying at Oxford.
Images for kids
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Matt Hancock's signature
See also
In Spanish: Matt Hancock para niños
