David Blunkett has proved a tough Education Secretary, ready to take on teaching unions and ensure basic standards of literacy and numeracy. He won more money for education and reduced class sizes, but charging students for tuition fees has proved unpopular. His department has had to draft guidelines on how homosexuality should be addressed in sex education classes after the government repeals Section 28. He got the job after five years in the shadow cabinet, working mainly on health and education. He is blind and brings his guide dog Lucy into the chamber, uses Braille for statements at the despatch box and is briefed by civil servants on tape. He has a strong background in local government. He was elected to Sheffield council at the age of 22 and went on to become leader for seven years, while teaching industrial relations at a further education college. He was elected MP for Sheffield Brightside in 1987, four years after joining Labour's National Executive Committee. He is a loyal Blairite, widely admired for his competence and conquering his disability, which he regards as an "inconvenience".