Kate Dearden

Kate Dearden (born April 1994) is an English Labour and Co-operative politician who has served as Member of Parliament for Halifax since 2024. She previously worked for trade union Community.

Early life and career Dearden was born and raised in Bingley, West Yorkshire, and attended St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College in Bradford. She studied for MA (Hons) International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, where she was Chair of Edinburgh Labour Students and campaigned for equal marriage in Scotland. having begun working as a Campaigns Officer for the Labour Party in April.

Dearden worked for Community Union from 2017–2024. Beginning as a Research and Campaigns Officer in October 2017, Dearden was then promoted to be Head of Research, Policy & External Relations in January 2020.

Parliamentary career Dearden attempted to stand as a candidate in the 2022 Wakefield by-election, but was not selected.

Dearden was elected as Member of Parliament for Halifax in the 2024 United Kingdom general election, succeeding the former Labour MP for Halifax, Holly Lynch, who stood down. Dearden was appointed Assistant Whip, House of Commons on 18 July 2024.

From 2025, she has offered cost of living advice surgeries to her constituents. She has advocated for a review of fireworks law in the United Kingdom.

In July 2026, she was appointed to the new government as Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade by Andy Burnham. She confirmed following her appointment that she will serve as Minister of State for the Future of Work.