Date of birth
25 April 1964
Political profile
Kevan Jones has spent most of his working life in politics.
Prior to his election in 2001, he combined his career as a councillor in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (where he was Chief Whip, and latterly the cabinet member responsible for regeneration and transport) with a day job as an elected political and legal officer for the GMB union.
He prepared for this career with a degree in government and public policy.
He is also a former chairman of the Northern Region Labour Party, and he is strongly committed to improving relative levels of funding to the north of England.
In his work for Newcastle Council he emphasised the need to attract new business to the region, and to encourage the incubation of small business.
He has also played a leading role in the campaign for compensation for workers suffering asbestos related diseases.
He has described himself as "not overtly New Labour".
Contact
Constituency office: 0191 371 8834