National Health Service History

Geoffrey Rivett

RT HON ALAN MILBURN MP  SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH 1999-2003

Alan Milburn, MP for Darlington, was appointed as Secretary of State for Health on 11 October 1999 and was reappointed to this post in the second Labour administration of 2001.  He had formerly been Chief Secretary to the Treasury since December 1998.   His period at the Department of Health was one of active introduction of new policies of choice and the opening of the NHS market to the private sector.

Alan Milburn was born in Birmingham in 1958, grew up in County Durham and was educated at John Marlay School in Newcastle upon Tyne, at Stokesley Comprehensive School, at the University of Lancaster where he graduated in history and at the University of Newcastle.  He acted as co-ordinator of the Trade Union Studies Information Unit in Newcastle upon Tyne and as Senior Business Development Officer in North Tyneside Council until his election to Parliament.  His partner is Dr Ruth Briel and they have two children, Joe born 19 July 1991 and Danny born 25 December 1996. He was elected Member of Parliament for Darlington in April 1992 and was made a Privy Councillor on 29 October 1998.  He is a former Opposition Spokesman on Treasury and Economic Affairs (1996-97).  He was a Member of the Public Accounts Select Committee from 1994-1995. 

His political interests include health, crime and regional issues.  His hobbies include cricket, football, travel, music and cinema.  Alan Milburn resigned suddenly for family reasons in June 2003 but returned to the Cabinet in September 2004.