Biography
Stephen S. Hughes is a Labour Member of the European Parliament (first elected 1984) to represent the Durham & Blaydon European Constituency (comprising the Westminster constituencies of Bishop Auckland, Blaydon, Darlington, Easington, North Durham, North West Durham Sedgefield and Durham City). He has served continuously since and was re-elected in June 2004 to represent the North East Region.
Committee and Political Group Activities
Spokesman on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee for the 200 strong Socialist Group.
Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Employment & Social Affairs (1994 - 1999); Substitute Member of the Internal Market Committee and Consumer Protection (2004-Present); Former Member of the Budgets Committee (1999 - 2004); Former Member of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection Committee (1984 -1994); Former Member of the Rules Committee and the newly formed (post Maastricht) Security and Defence Committee (1989 - 1994); Socialist Group spokesperson on matters involving Health and Safety and the Working Environment. Key involvement in reports on a number of subjects including asbestos, machine safety, carcinogenic substances in the workplace and Display Screen Equipment, young people at work, pregnant women at work, working time and physical agents.
Personal Details.
Stephen Skipsey Hughes was born in Sunderland on 19th August 1952 but was raised in Haswell Plough, County Durham. His father is a former miner and his mother is a homemaker. He was educated at St Leonard's in Durham City and St Bede's in Lanchester. He attended Leeds University and Newcastle Polytechnic where he was awarded the Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA). Before being elected to the European Parliament he was a local government officer.
Stephen Hughes is a member of the GMB union and has, in the past, served as both Constituency Secretary and Election Agent on behalf of the Labour Party.
Stephen Hughes is married and lives in Darlington. He is the father of Gareth, Victoria, Elizabeth, Amelia and James.