Ministerial Offices 2006–2010

Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
In office 9 June 2009 – 11 May 2010
Prime Minister	Gordon Brown
Preceded by	The Baroness Vadera
Succeeded by	Mark Prisk
Minister of State for Employment Relations
In office 28 June 2007 – 5 June 2009
Prime Minister	Gordon Brown
Preceded by	Jim Fitzpatrick
Succeeded by	The Lord Young
Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office
In office 5 May 2006 – 28 June 2007
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Jim Murphy
Succeeded by	Gillian Merron

Shadow portfolios 2010–2024

Shadow Cabinet portfolios
2023–2024	Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
2021–2023	Chief Secretary to the Treasury
May 2010– October 2010	Business, Innovation and Skills
Junior Shadow portfolios
2020–2021	Economic Secretary to the Treasury
2014–2016	Minister for Europe

Member of Parliament
for Wolverhampton South East

Incumbent

Assumed office
5 May 2005

Preceded by

Dennis Turner

Majority

9,188 (27.5%)

Political Secretary to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

In office
2002–2005

Prime Minister

Tony Blair

Preceded by

Robert Hill

Succeeded by

John McTernan

Personal details

Born

Patrick Bosco McFadden

26 March 1965 (age 60)
Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Political party

Labour

Spouse

Marianna McFadden

Children

Alma mater

University of Edinburgh

Patrick Bosco McFadden, born on March 26, 1965, is a British politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. Since September 2025, he has been the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Before this, he served as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 2024 to 2025. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Wolverhampton South East since 2005. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the UK Parliament. Throughout his career, Mr. McFadden has held many important roles in government and in the opposition.

Who is Pat McFadden?

Who is Pat McFadden?

Patrick Bosco McFadden is a well-known figure in British politics. He has worked in government for many years. He has also been a key member of the opposition party. His journey in politics began long before he became an MP.

His Early Life and School Days

Pat McFadden was born on March 26, 1965, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. His parents, James and Annie McFadden, spoke the Irish language. They came from a village called Falcarragh in Ireland. As a child, Pat often visited County Donegal in Ireland.

He went to Holy Cross RC Primary School. Later, he attended Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow. From 1983 to 1987, he studied at the University of Edinburgh. There, he earned a master's degree in politics. During his university years, he was the leader (chair) of the Scottish Labour Students group.

Starting His Political Journey

After finishing university, Pat McFadden began his career in politics. In 1988, he worked as a researcher for Donald Dewar. A researcher helps gather information and prepare reports for politicians. Mr. Dewar was then the Labour Party's spokesperson for Scottish Affairs.

In 1993, Mr. McFadden became a speechwriter and policy adviser for John Smith. Mr. Smith was the leader of the Labour Party at the time. A speechwriter helps politicians write their speeches. A policy adviser helps create new ideas and plans for the government.

Working for Prime Ministers

Before becoming an MP himself, Pat McFadden worked closely with Tony Blair. Mr. Blair was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Mr. McFadden held several advisory roles, giving advice and support to the Prime Minister. From 2002 to 2005, he was the Prime Minister's Political Secretary. This role involved helping the Prime Minister with political matters and strategies.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In the 2005 general election, Pat McFadden was elected as the MP for Wolverhampton South East. He won with a clear majority of votes. This meant he became the representative for his local area in the UK Parliament.

Serving in Government (2005-2010)

After his election, Mr. McFadden quickly took on important roles. In 2006, he was appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office. A reshuffle is when a Prime Minister changes the roles of ministers in the government.

In a 2007 reshuffle, he was promoted to Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs. This meant he had more responsibility within the government department.

Pat McFadden in 2010, meeting with India's Minister of Commerce and Industry.

In 2008, when Peter Mandelson became the Business Secretary, Mr. McFadden became his deputy. This was because Lord Mandelson was a member of the House of Lords, not the House of Commons. So, Mr. McFadden helped represent the department in the House of Commons. At this time, he also joined the Privy Council, a group of senior advisors to the King.

In the 2010 general election, Pat McFadden was re-elected as MP for Wolverhampton South East.

Working in Opposition (2010-2024)

After the Labour Party lost the 2010 general election, Mr. McFadden continued his work in Parliament. He served in the Shadow Cabinet under interim leader Harriet Harman. The Shadow Cabinet is a group of opposition MPs who "shadow" or watch over the government ministers. He was the Shadow Business Secretary for a short time.

Later, he was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Europe by Labour leader Ed Miliband in 2014. He was re-elected as an MP in the 2015 general election with a larger lead.

Important Roles in the Shadow Cabinet

When Jeremy Corbyn became Labour leader in 2015, Mr. McFadden kept his role as Shadow Europe Minister. However, in January 2016, he left this role. This happened due to different views on political strategy, especially concerning how to respond to international events.

Pat McFadden in 2017.

Mr. McFadden continued to serve as an MP, working from the "backbenches." This means he was not part of the Shadow Cabinet at that time. He was re-elected in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.

In April 2020, when Sir Keir Starmer became the new Labour leader, Pat McFadden returned to the Shadow Cabinet. He was appointed as the Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury. He was later promoted to Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2021. In 2023, he became the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Labour Party's National Campaign Coordinator. This meant he helped organize the party's election campaigns.

Back in Government (2024-Present)

In the 2024 general election, Pat McFadden was re-elected as MP for Wolverhampton South East with an increased majority. Following the Labour Party's victory, he was appointed as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He also served as the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations until September 2025.

In September 2025, Mr. McFadden was appointed as the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. In this important role, he is responsible for government policies related to employment, welfare, and pensions.

What Pat McFadden Believes In

Pat McFadden is known for his centre-left political views. He is part of a group within the Labour Party called Labour First. He is also a vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel. A vice-chair is a deputy leader of a group.

Views on Brexit

Mr. McFadden voted in favor of the law that started the process for the UK to leave the European Union. This process is known as triggering Article 50. However, he was against a "no-deal Brexit," which means leaving the EU without any agreement. He believes the UK should have a close trading relationship with the European Union.

His Family Life

Pat McFadden is married to Marianna, and they have two children, a son and a daughter. He is also a big fan of the Scottish football team, Celtic F.C..

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