Helen Goodman is the MP for Bishop Auckland. Since October 2011 Helen has held the post of Shadow Minister for Media and Communications. In October 2013, her portfolio expanded to cover the creative industries, arts, galleries and museums, and heritage.

Helen served in the last Government as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Work and Pensions and as Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.

Helen is currently a Trustee for the Auckland Castle Trust following her successful campaign to retain the Zurbarans at Auckland Castle in her constituency. Helen was previously the Chief Executive of the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries. An avid theatre-goer Helen is also a trustee of Auckland Castle.

Helen was first elected in 2005, and prior to becoming an MP was a senior civil servant at HM Treasury, a senior executive of two children’s charities, and Director of the Commission on the Future of Multi Ethnic Britain.

She is married with two children, and outside of politics she enjoys cooking, walking and being with her family.