At a glanceCatherine McKinnell is a Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, and has represented the seat for 16 years, 2 months. They have cast 377 votes in Commons divisions (66% attendance), tabled 1,014 written questions and registered 7 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; Catherine McKinnell did not vote in 198. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
Current roles
- Public Accounts Committee Committee since 27 Oct 2025
- Newcastle upon Tyne North Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
- Labour Party since 6 May 2010
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Sean Woodcock
Labour
100.0% · 364 of 364 shared votes
-
Sojan Joseph
Labour
100.0% · 359 of 359 shared votes
-
Liz Twist
Labour
100.0% · 357 of 357 shared votes
-
Paul Waugh
Labour (Co-op)
100.0% · 353 of 353 shared votes
-
Gurinder Singh Josan
Labour
100.0% · 349 of 349 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Sir Mel Stride
Conservative
0.5% · 1 of 212 shared votes
-
Victoria Atkins
Conservative
0.9% · 2 of 223 shared votes
-
George Freeman
Conservative
1.0% · 2 of 210 shared votes
-
Chris Philp
Conservative
1.3% · 3 of 237 shared votes
-
Sir Roger Gale
Conservative
1.3% · 3 of 236 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources2
- UK Music Limited - £732.00 (registered 3 Jun 2026)
- BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) Ltd - £330.00 (registered 20 Oct 2025)
Visits outside the UK1
- International visit to United States between 30 November 2025 and 05 December 2025 (registered 16 Dec 2025)
Land and property (within or outside the UK)1
- Residential in Northumberland
Miscellaneous3
- Husband is a member of the Hospitality Sector Council, a forum to facilitate cooperation between the hospitality sector and Government. This is an unpaid role. (registered 4 Nov 2025)
- Chair of the RAF Association Commons and Lords Branch. This is an unpaid role. (registered 3 Nov 2025)
- Solicitor (currently non-practising).
Written questions
Defence: Supply Chains
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Defence Investment Plan will support the reduction of supply chain delays in the defence sector, including by addressing supply chain delays to the Challenger programme.
Awaiting an answer from the Ministry of Defence.
Armed Forces: Housing
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of a) new build and b) repaired old military homes, have been constructed using timber since the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy in December 2025, and whether his Department is conside
Answer · 9 Jul 2026
Since the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy in November 2025, the Department has not purchased any new build Service Family Accommodation (SFA) of timber frame construction. In relation to the repair or refurbishment of SFA, the Department is in...
Air Force: Helmets
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to address delays to the Aircrew Helmet programme, and how he will make sure his department's approach to the procurement aligns with the objectives of the Defence Investment Plan to pr
Answer · 9 Jul 2026
The procurement strategy for the Aircrew Helmet Programme will align with the objectives of the Defence Investment Plan in promoting British manufacturing, sovereign capability, and SME participation, whilst also ensuring that the required safety and capa...
Armed Forces: Housing
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has considered the potential merits of using timber to a) build new and b) repair old military homes.
Answer · 24 Mar 2026
The Defence Housing Strategy published on 3 November 2025, sets out a vision for the future transformation of military homes through a record £9 billion investment over a decade. The Department is in the early stages of the renovation programme. As we loo...
Schools: Climate Change
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools to help tackle climate change.
Answer · 31 Mar 2026
The Education Estates Strategy sets out plans for an education estate that supports opportunity for all, with an education estate that is safe, suitable, sustainable and appropriately sufficiently sized. It is backed by a ten-year plan to deliver a decade...
Schools: Buildings
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered the potential merits of using timber materials in a) constructing and b) maintaining school buildings.
Answer · 30 Mar 2026
The government recognises that timber offers a solution as a renewable, low-carbon resource. It offers potential to reduce emissions and create jobs, as set out in the Timber in Construction Roadmap: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timber-in-co...
Obesity: Health Services
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting lists for NHS-funded weight loss programmes.
Answer · 23 Mar 2026
The National Health Service provides a range of weight management services, and we recognise that waiting times for some programmes can be long. NHS England is taking steps to improve access. Access to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is being ...
Clothing: Manufacturing Industries
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Department are taking to help tackle abusive purchasing practices in the fashion industry.
Answer · 10 Mar 2026
The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses. The government also l...
Early day motions
| 21 Jul 2021 | UN World Drowning Prevention Day | 30 sig. |
| 20 May 2021 | Pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work | 103 sig. |
| 11 May 2020 | Sustainable aviation beyond covid-19 | 33 sig. |
| 4 May 2020 | Free School Meal Vouchers | 38 sig. |
| 24 Jun 2019 | CHILDREN'S HOSPICE WEEK 2019 | 44 sig. |
| 14 Nov 2018 | SAINT ROMERO | 19 sig. |
Speeches in the chamber
6 Jul 2026 Civil Service Pensions
The family of a terminally ill constituent contacted me in desperation last month after trying to resolve the pension issues of their family member since January. She died yesterday, with her pension still unresolved. Can the Minister be m…
30 Jun 2026 Defence Investment Plan
As the UK trade envoy to Italy, I thank the Secretary of State for confirming the GCAP funding in his statement. As MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, I add my voice to those who want to see this as an opportunity to genuinely spread invest…
30 Jun 2026 National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation
This report is welcome, but that does not make its existence any less tragic. Far too many mothers and babies have been failed, including mothers like my constituent Amie, who late last year was turned away repeatedly, despite reporting re…
29 Jun 2026 Home Office and Ministry of Justice
I entirely agree, and my hon. Friend has anticipated a point that I was going to make. The increased court days are clearly vital to maintaining productivity and the efficiency of the use of court time, although that only works if the cour…
29 Jun 2026 Home Office and Ministry of Justice
It is an honour to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Sarah Russell), and indeed, to follow all the Members who have contributed to what has been a very thoughtful debate. There seems to be a huge amount of cross-party consens…
15 Jun 2026 Social Media Ban for Under-16s
I thank the Secretary of State for her statement today and for the leadership she has shown on this issue. A mother stopped me as I boarded the train today. She was beaming and she just said, “Thank you so much. This is going to make such …
20 May 2026 Defence Readiness
It is an honour to follow the right hon. Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison). It is clear that when it comes to defence readiness, there is much on which we can all agree. Let me also—before he leaves the Chamber—pay tribute to t…
24 Mar 2026 Household Energy Bills
I am pleased to chair the newly formed all-party parliamentary group for warm homes. Newcastle is leading the way with its hugely impactful warm homes local grant scheme run by Warmworks in conjunction with Newcastle city council. Does the…
17 Mar 2026 Clinical Negligence
I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for a fixed recoverable costs scheme to limit the costs that may be recovered in respect of certain cases of clinical negligence; to provide for regular review of t…
17 Mar 2026 Youth Unemployment
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. As co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for youth employment, I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement on these new measures. Members will know tha…
27 Jan 2026 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform
Since I was first elected in 2010, I have seen the misery caused for constituents in Great Park, Moorfields and Grove Park, who suffer high ground rents, hikes in service charges, threats of forfeiture and a total lack of accountability of…
20 Jan 2026 Mobile Phones and Social Media: Use by Children
I thank the Secretary of State for this statement, acknowledging the real harm that social media is causing for children. As a former Schools Minister, I know how welcome these announcements will be for teachers and parents, who are contac…
26 Nov 2025 Budget Resolutions
I am afraid that I cannot give way because the time will keep running down. Scrapping the limit is just the start and it has to happen in the context of wider welfare reforms that ensure that every child grows up in a home where work pays …
26 Nov 2025 Budget Resolutions
I share those concerns, as I know does the right hon. Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt). We have cross-party interest in making better use of those resources. I thank the Chancellor for her comments about the infected blood co…
26 Nov 2025 Budget Resolutions
I would normally extend the courtesy of saying that it is an honour to follow the hon. Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens (Dave Doogan), but that speech was all a bit dreich. I have reflected hard on this Budget, as it is the first s…
21 Jul 2025 Topical Questions
As we have said, we are looking at reforms to the system; we recognise that there are challenges right across the system that we inherited. We know that families face challenges in securing support and that schools face challenges, too. We…
21 Jul 2025 Topical Questions
We recognise that schools are working incredibly hard to deliver in their communities. There is a whole range of factors that impact school funding, including their rural or urban nature and pupil numbers; we have discussed declining rolls…
21 Jul 2025 Topical Questions
The hon. Lady will know that a curriculum and assessment review is currently being undertaken by an independent panel. We are keen that the curriculum is broad and rich, but also inclusive. We will be responding when the panel reports with…
21 Jul 2025 Topical Questions
The right hon. Gentleman is pre-empting decisions before they have been made. We have not made decisions about the future of EHCPs. We are listening carefully and working with the sector to make sure we have the workforce in the system and…
21 Jul 2025 Topical Questions
Indeed, we are building a reformed system in which children and young people’s needs will be identified early, so that evidence-based support can be provided at the earliest opportunity. Earlier this year, I was pleased to open Benton Hous…
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Government posts
- Minister of State (Education) · Department for Education 8 Jul 2024 – 6 Sep 2025
Opposition posts
- Shadow Minister (Education) (Schools) · Department for Education 6 Sep 2023 – 30 May 2024
- Shadow Attorney General · Attorney General's Office 14 Sep 2015 – 11 Jan 2016
- Shadow Minister (Treasury) · HM Treasury 18 Mar 2013 – 14 Sep 2015
- Shadow Minister (Education) · Department for Education 7 Oct 2011 – 18 Mar 2013
- Shadow Solicitor General · Attorney General's Office 8 Oct 2010 – 7 Oct 2011
Committee memberships
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 15 Jan 2025 – 11 Feb 2025
- School Attendance (Duties of Local Authorities and Proprietors of Schools) Bill 24 Apr 2024 – 1 May 2024
- Liaison Committee (Commons) 20 May 2020 – 6 Sep 2023
- Petitions Committee · Chair 29 Jan 2020 – 6 Sep 2023
- Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill 26 Jan 2022 – 2 Feb 2022
- Treasury Sub-Committee 14 Sep 2017 – 6 Nov 2019
- Petitions Committee 11 Sep 2017 – 6 Nov 2019
- Treasury Committee 11 Sep 2017 – 6 Nov 2019
- Petitions Committee 14 Mar 2016 – 3 May 2017
- Education, Skills and the Economy Sub-Committee 9 Mar 2016 – 3 May 2017
- Education Committee 1 Feb 2016 – 3 May 2017
- Political and Constitutional Reform Committee 12 Jul 2010 – 8 Nov 2010
Previous seats
- Newcastle upon Tyne North · Elected 4 times 6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024
Expenses
Contact & offices
020 7219 7115
Parliamentary office
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Constituency office
Constituency office
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Catherine McKinnell, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is Catherine McKinnell?
Catherine McKinnell is a Member of Parliament representing Newcastle upon Tyne North in the House of Commons. See Catherine McKinnell's official Parliament profile.
Which party does Catherine McKinnell represent?
Catherine McKinnell sits as Labour. See Catherine McKinnell's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does Catherine McKinnell represent?
Catherine McKinnell is the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne North. See Catherine McKinnell's official Parliament profile.
How long has Catherine McKinnell been an MP?
Catherine McKinnell has served in the House of Commons for 16 years, 2 months. See Catherine McKinnell's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for Catherine McKinnell?
Catherine McKinnell has 7 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Catherine McKinnell's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.