Andy Burnham was appointed as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in January 2008. He is the MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester, elected in June 2001.

Prior to that Andy was: Chief Secretary to the Treasury (June 2007 to January 2008); Minister of State for Delivery and Reform at the Department of Health (2006 to June 2007); Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality at the Home Office (2005-06) and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ruth Kelly, Transport Secretary (2004) and David Blunkett, Home Secretary (2003-04). He was also a member of the Health Select Committee (2001-03). Previous posts include: special adviser to Chris Smith, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1998-2001); administrator for the Football Task Force (1998); researcher at the NHS Confederation (1997); and researcher to Tessa Jowell MP (1994-97).

Born in Liverpool, Andy was educated in Merseyside at St Aelred's Roman Catholic High School and gained an MA in English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

Andy is married to Marie-France van Heel and they have three children. He is an avid supporter of Leigh Centurions Rugby League Club and Everton Football Club, plays the guitar and likes indie music.

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