Stephen is an MP and Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee.

Originally employed in the telecommunications industry, Stephen Timms has been Member of Parliament for East Ham, London Borough of Newham, since 1994.  He was Leader of Newham Council in 1990-94.  He was a Minister from 1998 to 2010, in the Departments for Education, Work and Pensions, Business and HM Treasury, and was Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2006-7.  He was Shadow Minister for Employment in 2010-15.  In January 2021, the House of Commons elected him to chair the Work and Pensions Select Committee.