John Hutton

Background

Hutton was educated at Westcliff High School for Boys, in Essex, and Magdalen College, Oxford. He became a law lecturer at Northumbria University, before being elected the MP for Barrow and Furness in 1992. He is a friend and former flatmate of key Blair ally Alan Milburn. He is now the Work and Pensions Secretary. [1]

Pro-Nuclear Defender

Seen as a keen defender of local industries including Britain's nuclear Trident programme. [2]. Described by the Times as a "Champion of the nuclear industry" within the Cabinet. [The Times (2005) The Nuclear Cabinet, 23 November]