Peter Kyle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Kyle
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology | |
| Assumed office 5 July 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Michelle Donelan |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology | |
| In office 4 September 2023 – 5 July 2024 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Griffith |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | |
| In office 29 November 2021 – 4 September 2023 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Louise Haigh |
| Succeeded by | Hilary Benn |
| Shadow Minister for Schools | |
| In office 14 May 2021 – 29 November 2021 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Wes Streeting |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Morgan |
| Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice | |
| In office 9 April 2020 – 14 May 2021 |
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| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Anna McMorrin |
| Member of Parliament for Hove and Portslade Hove (2015–2024) |
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| Assumed office 7 May 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Weatherley |
| Majority | 19,881 (38.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter John Kyle
9 September 1970 West Sussex, England |
| Political party | Labour |
| Education | Felpham Comprehensive School, West Sussex |
| Alma mater | University of Sussex |
| Signature |  |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Building capacity for community economic development: the case of the Kat river valley, South Africa (2004) |
Peter John Kyle (born 9 September 1970) is a British politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. Since July 2024, he has been the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. He has also been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hove and Portslade since 2015. Before his current role, he served in several important positions. These included Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice, Shadow Minister for Schools, and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary.
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Early Life and Education
Peter Kyle was born in West Sussex, England, on 9 September 1970. He went to Felpham Comprehensive School, which is now called Felpham Community College. While at school, he found out he had dyslexia. He left school without many qualifications.
Later, at age 25, he was accepted into the University of Sussex. He studied geography and international development there. He also earned a higher degree (a doctorate) in community development.
Working to Help Others
Before becoming an MP, Peter Kyle worked as an aid worker. He was a project director for a charity called Children on the Edge. This work took him to Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He helped young people whose lives were affected by conflicts like the Bosnian War and Kosovan War. He even helped set up an orphanage in Romania.
In 2006, he became a special advisor in the Cabinet Office. His work focused on policies to help people who were socially excluded. From 2007 to 2013, he was a senior leader at a group for charity chief executives. In 2013, he led a new charity called Working for Youth. This charity helped young people who were unemployed.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Peter Kyle was first elected as an MP in the 2015 United Kingdom general election. He became the MP for Hove. He won with 42.3% of the votes.
He was re-elected in the 2017 United Kingdom general election with even more votes. In the 2019 United Kingdom general election, he was elected again. His constituency, Hove, was later renamed Hove and Portslade. He was re-elected for this new constituency in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.
Key Parliamentary Work
Peter Kyle has been involved in many important political discussions.
Supporting Apprenticeships
He strongly supports apprenticeships. These programs help young people learn skills for jobs. In 2016, he promised to help create 1,000 apprenticeships in 1,000 days in his local area. He worked with the local council to achieve this.
Views on Voting Age
In May 2018, Peter Kyle suggested that the voting age should be lowered to 16. He tried to pass a new law to make this happen. However, the bill did not pass in Parliament.
Brexit Discussions
He campaigned for the UK to stay in the European Union during the 2016 Brexit referendum. Later, he voted to keep the UK closely linked to Europe after Brexit. He also worked with another MP, Phil Wilson, on an amendment. This amendment suggested that the Brexit deal should be put to a public vote.
Fighting Antisemitism
Peter Kyle has been a strong voice against antisemitism within the Labour Party. He signed an open letter promising to fight antisemitism. He also apologized to the Jewish community. He condemned the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel. He spoke at a march against antisemitism in London in November 2023.
Roles in the Shadow Cabinet
Before becoming a Secretary of State, Peter Kyle held several important roles in the Labour Party's "Shadow Cabinet." The Shadow Cabinet is a group of opposition MPs who watch over government departments.
Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice
In April 2020, he became the Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice. He proposed a bill to Parliament to help victims of crime.
This bill aimed to:
- Make sure victims know their rights.
- Create a list for justice system leaders who ignore victims' rights.
- Give victims of ongoing anti-social behaviour the same rights as crime victims.
- Make the Victims' Commissioner independent from the government.
Shadow Minister for Schools
In May 2021, he became the Shadow Minister for Schools. In this role, he focused on education policies.
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary
Later in November 2021, he was appointed Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary. This role involves overseeing Northern Ireland affairs.
Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
In September 2023, Peter Kyle became the Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. He talked about how a Labour government would handle Artificial Intelligence (AI). He suggested reducing rules for tech companies developing AI. He also proposed new bodies to help with skills and research.
He announced that Labour would require AI companies to share their test results with the government. This would help the government understand AI risks. He also met with major tech companies in the United States. Peter Kyle believes AI can greatly improve public services, like the National Health Service and education.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
After the Labour Party won the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Peter Kyle was appointed to the government. He became the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. This means he is now in charge of government policy for science, innovation, and technology.
Images for kids
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Peter Kyle's signature
