Alison McGovern: Labour’s Voice on Homelessness and Child Poverty

A Rising Figure in Labour Politics

Alison McGovern is a British Labour politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Birkenhead since 2024, and previously Wirral South since 2010. She served as Minister of State for Employment from 2024 to 2025 and currently serves as Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness. Born in Clatterbridge, Wirral, McGovern has deep roots in her community and has become a prominent voice within the Labour Party, particularly on issues affecting working families.

New Ministerial Role and Key Responsibilities

In September 2025, she moved to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with the portfolio of Local Government and Homelessness. This appointment came at a critical time, as homelessness has soared in England in recent times, with government figures showing 324,990 households in England needed council support for homelessness in 2023-24 – a record-high and 8.8% more than in 2022-23. Local government minister Alison McGovern will oversee council finance policy and reorganisation alongside homelessness and rough sleeping.

Champion for Child Poverty Reduction

McGovern has made tackling child poverty a central focus of her ministerial work. The chancellor scrapped the two-child benefit cap in her budget last week, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty. In a recent article, McGovern emphasised Labour’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families and building more affordable housing. The government is building 1.5 million new homes, including the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, while changing the law to making renting more secure and affordable.

Deputy Leadership Bid and Political Vision

Alison McGovern is one of the candidates standing to be deputy leader of the Labour Party. Though Housing Minister Alison McGovern withdrew from the race on Wednesday and backed Phillipson after failing to pick up enough support, her campaign highlighted her commitment to party unity and fighting populism. She wanted to be Labour’s next Deputy Leader because the national story needs to be that story – a Britain much bigger than Farage’s hate.

Significance for the Future

As McGovern continues her work addressing homelessness and child poverty, her role represents Labour’s attempt to deliver on its promises of social justice and economic opportunity. With homelessness at record levels and families struggling with the cost of living, her effectiveness in implementing policy solutions will be crucial for both vulnerable communities and Labour’s political credibility. Her ministerial work on local government reorganisation and housing policy will shape how councils respond to these challenges in the years ahead.