Michael Fallon

Rt Hon Michael Fallon has been MP for Sevenoaks since 1997.  He is presently Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Minister of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Political Career
1983-1992  MP for Darlington
1987-1988 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Energy
1988-1990 Government Whip, promoted to Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
1990-1992  Schools Minister in the Department for Education and Science
1997 -        MP for Sevenoaks
1997-1998 Shadow Spokesman for Trade & Industry, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury
1999-2012  Member of Treasury Select Committee
2001-2010  Chairman of Treasury Select Sub-Committee
2010-2012  Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party
2012 -        Privy Counsellor
2012 -        Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Department of Business, Innovation & Skills
2013 -        Minister of State for Energy, Department of Energy and Climate Change

Michael’s current ministerial responsibilities are:

• business sectors, low carbon economy, low emission vehicles, electronics
• small business, enterprise and access to finance
• competitiveness and economic growth
• deregulation and better regulation
• regional and local economic development (including Grants for Business Investment)
• business support
• Olympic legacy
• export licensing
• Royal Mail
• general oversight of Shareholder Executive and its portfolios
• Commons spokesman on Trade and Investment

Michael is a regular writer and broadcaster on politics, economics and education. His publications include The Caravan Moves On, The Quango Explosion, Sovereign Members, and Brighter Schools. He was also chairman of the All-Party Classics Group until 2012.

Sevenoaks Constituency
Since becoming MP for Sevenoaks, Michael has been at the forefront of many successful local campaigns including:

• leading the campaign to save Sevenoaks Hospital, culminating in the May 2007 decision of West Kent Primary Care Trust to secure its long-term future
• winning  a £1 million government grant to build the new Riverhead Infants School
• fighting the closure of Sevenoaks Police Station, leading to the decision to open a new police office in the town centre
• saving the Lullingstone Visitors Centre, under threat of closure, which led to it being taken over by Kent County Council
• lobbying for better noise protection for residents living near the three motorways (M25, M20 & M26) that cut across the constituency, winning a new environmental barrier for Swanley and Swanley Village as part of the M25 widening
• campaigning to save the 6 local post offices threatened with closure in Farningham, Eynsford, Seal, Sevenoaks St Botolphs, Sevenoaks High Street and South Darenth
• Successfully assisting hundreds of constituents who have had problems with government bureaucracy over the last 10 years

Michael runs 22 advice surgeries each year and in addition attends many local events and visits all types of organisations throughout the Sevenoaks constituency

Personal
Michael was born in Scotland in 1952, and educated at Epsom College.  He graduated Honours MA in Classics and Ancient History from St Andrews University.

He is married to Wendy and they have two sons.  Their home is in Sundridge.

Business Career
Michael Fallon is a former director of Quality Care Homes plc (nursing homes), Just Learning Ltd (day nurseries), Attendo AB (Scandinavian social and health care) and Tullett Prebon plc (inter-dealer broking).