Frank Field, a former Labour minister and crossbench peer, has died at the age of 81 after a period of illness, his family announced on Wednesday.
A statement from Lord Field of Birkenhead’s family, issued by his Parliamentary office, said: “Frank Field (Rt Hon Lord Field of Birkenhead, CH) has died at the age of 81 following a period of illness.
“Frank was director of the Child Poverty Action Group between 1969 and 1979, and the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead between 1979 and 2019.
“During that time, he served as a Minister for Welfare Reform and led the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances. He also chaired the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee (and its predecessor Committee on Social Services and Social Security) as well as the Joint Committee on the Draft Modern Slavery Bill.
“In 2020, Frank entered the House of Lords as the Rt Hon the Lord Field of Birkenhead, was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2022 New Year Honours and continued to serve on the boards of Cool Earth, Feeding Britain and the Frank Field Education Trust.
“Frank is survived by two brothers.
“He will be mourned by admirers across politics but above all he will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to have enjoyed his laughter and friendship.”
Field was born in Birkenhead in 1942 and educated at the University of Liverpool. He began his political career as a Labour councillor in Birkenhead in 1968. He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead in 1979 and served in that role until 2019.
During his time in Parliament, Field served as a Minister for Welfare Reform under Tony Blair’s Labour government from 1997 to 1999. He also chaired the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee from 2001 to 2010. In 2010, he was appointed as the Independent Reviewer on Poverty and Life Chances by the then Prime Minister, David Cameron.
Field was a strong advocate for social justice and poverty reduction. He was a member of the Child Poverty Action Group from 1969 to 1979. He also served as a trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation from 1989 to 2010.
In 2020, Field entered the House of Lords as the Rt Hon the Lord Field of Birkenhead. He was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2022 New Year Honours.
Field continued to serve on the boards of Cool Earth, Feeding Britain, and the Frank Field Education Trust until his death. He is survived by two brothers.
Former Labour Minister and Crossbench Peer Frank Field Dies at 81
