Rt Hon Steven Byers MP was appointed Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government (DTLR) on 8 June 2000.

Stephen Byers was appointed Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 23 December 1998.

He was previously a junior health from 27 July 1998.

Mr Byers was Schools standards Mister at the Department for Education and Employment from 6 May 1997. During his time at DfEE, he spearheaded much of the Government's radical and innovative education legislation including the School Standards and Framework Act.

Mr Byers, 38, is MP for North Weirside. He was educated at Chester City Grammar School, Chester College of Further Education and Liverpool Polytechnic. He is a former senior lecturer in law.

Mr Byers was a member of the North Tyneside Metropolitan District Council from 1980 to 1992 and Chairman of the Association of Metropolitan Authorities' Education Committee from 1990-92.

He was deputy leader of North Humberside Council from 1986-92 and chair of the Council of Local Education Authorities.

Mr Byers became an MP in 1992 and in 1994 was appointed opposition whip. The following year he became opposition spokesman on Education and Employment