Kate Dearden (born April 1994) is an English Labour and Co-operative politician who has served as Member of Parliament for Halifax since 2024. She previously worked for trade union Community.
Early life and career Dearden was born and raised in Bingley, West Yorkshire, and attended St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College in Bradford. She studied for MA (Hons) International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, where she was Chair of Edinburgh Labour Students and campaigned for equal marriage in Scotland.
During her third year at university, Dearden worked as a Campaign Organiser for Ian Murray MP, before working for Kezia Dugdale MSP (then leader of Scottish Labour and Member of Scottish Parliament for Lothian) in her fourth year.
After graduating, Dearden served as Chair of the National Labour Students Committee until June 2017, having begun working as a Campaigns Officer for the Labour Party in April. Whilst Chair of the Labour Students, Dearden launched training against antisemitism at the Oxford University Labour Club.
Dearden worked for Community Union from 2017–2024. Beginning as a Research and Campaigns Officer in October 2017, Dearden was then promoted to be Head of Research, Policy & External Relations in January 2020.
Parliamentary career Dearden attempted to stand as a candidate in the 2022 Wakefield by-election, but was not selected.
Dearden was elected as Member of Parliament for Halifax in the 2024 United Kingdom general election, succeeding the former Labour MP for Halifax, Holly Lynch, who stood down. Dearden was appointed Assistant Whip, House of Commons on 18 July 2024.
From 2025, she has offered cost of living advice surgeries to her constituents. She has advocated for a review of fireworks law in the United Kingdom.
In July 2026, she was appointed to the new government as Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade by Andy Burnham. She confirmed following her appointment that she will serve as Minister of State for the Future of Work.
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