Jess Phillips has been a fixture of British politics since her election as the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley in 2015. Known for her blunt speaking and fierce advocacy on women’s safety, she rose from a background in domestic abuse support to a ministerial role in the Home Office. After stepping down from that position in May 2026, she remains an active parliamentarian and a leading voice on gender-based violence.
This article provides a comprehensive look at her political career, personal life, publications, and the facts behind some of the most common questions about her finances and health.
What is Jess Phillips’ role in British politics?
Jessica Rose Phillips (née Trainor)
9 October 1981
British Labour Politician
Birmingham Yardley
- Jess Phillips is one of the most prominent Labour backbenchers turned junior minister in the Home Office.
- Her resignation on 12 May 2026 marks a significant shift in her political trajectory.
- She is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and has campaigned against domestic abuse and violence against women.
- Net worth figures are not officially confirmed; typical MP minimum salary is £91,346 per annum, with additional ministerial pay.
- Her two books focus on political engagement and combating hate speech.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current Party | Labour |
| Current Position | MP for Birmingham Yardley (since 2015) |
| Former Position | Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Home Office) – 2024–2026 |
| Year of Birth | 1981 |
| Marital Status | Married to Tom Phillips |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Books Published | 2 (as of 2025) |
| Net Worth Rank | Not publicly available |
Is Jess Phillips still an MP?
Yes. Jess Phillips remains the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, a seat she has held continuously since the 2015 general election. She served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls in the Home Office from July 2024 until May 2026. After stepping down from that ministerial role, she continues to represent her constituency and speak on policy issues.
What is Jess Phillips’ resignation letter about?
Jess Phillips resigned from her ministerial position on 12 May 2026. The specific contents of her resignation letter have not been fully published on official channels, but the move came amid a change in government or internal Labour reshuffle following the July 2024 general election. Her resignation was formally recorded on GOV.UK.
What is known about Jess Phillips’ personal background?
Who is Jess Phillips’ husband?
Jess Phillips is married to Tom Phillips. The couple married on October 20, 2006, and live together in Birmingham. Tom Phillips works outside politics and maintains a relatively private profile.
Does Jess Phillips have children?
Yes. Jess Phillips and her husband have two sons, Harry and Danny. The family resides in Birmingham, the city where she was born and raised.
What illness does Jess Phillips have?
There is no publicly confirmed information about Jess Phillips experiencing a serious illness. This question appears to be based on unverified rumours; no reliable sources substantiate any specific illness. It is best treated as speculation unless official statements emerge. No credible evidence of any serious illness exists in available sources. The question likely stems from internet speculation rather than confirmed medical information.
What is Jess Phillips’ net worth?
Jess Phillips’ net worth is not publicly disclosed. As a Labour MP, she receives a basic parliamentary salary of £91,346 per year (as of 2025–26), and during her ministerial tenure she would have earned additional pay. Additionally, she is a bestselling author with four books, which generate royalties. However, no official figures or verified estimates exist. Any reported figure should be considered speculative. Neither government registers nor credible financial disclosures list Phillips’ total net worth. Her income likely combines parliamentary salary, ministerial pay, and book royalties, but exact amounts remain private. The standard MP salary is fixed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Ministerial salaries are additional and vary by role. Book advances and royalties for Phillips are not publicly reported.
Has Jess Phillips written any books?
Jess Phillips is the author of four books, each dealing with politics, honesty, and women’s experiences. Her debut, Everywoman: One Woman’s Truth About Speaking the Truth, was published in 2018. She followed with Truth to Power: How To Call Time on B.S (2019), Everything You Need to Know About Politics: My Life as an MP (2021, a Sunday Times bestseller), and Let’s Be Honest: Truth, Lies and Politics (2024, also a Sunday Times bestseller).
Key Dates in Jess Phillips’ Career
- – Born in Birmingham, England.
- – Elected as MP for Birmingham Yardley.
- – Chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Labour Party.
- – Published first book Everywoman.
- – Resigned from Labour frontbench over Gaza ceasefire stance.
- – Appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office.
- – Resigned ministerial role; remains MP.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Jess Phillips?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She is the elected MP for Birmingham Yardley. | Exact net worth is not disclosed; any figures are speculative. |
| She served as a Home Office minister from July 2024 to May 2026. | No credible evidence of any serious illness. |
| She is married to Tom Phillips and has two sons. | Full contents of her May 2026 resignation letter are not yet public. |
| She has authored four books, two of which were Sunday Times bestsellers. |
What does Jess Phillips stand for?
Throughout her career, Phillips has been a consistent advocate for women’s safety, domestic abuse survivors, and political accountability. She co-founded the #NotTheCost campaign to combat violence against politically active women and Reclaim the Internet to challenge online abuse. She has also been a strong supporter of same-sex marriage, climate action, and EU membership, while opposing welfare cuts.
Her resignation from the frontbench in November 2023 over Keir Starmer’s position on Gaza highlighted her willingness to break with party leadership on moral grounds. Phillips has described her political pathway as one that moves from being an activist, working in lobbying and the voluntary sector
(The Stack World).
What do official sources say about Jess Phillips?
“She is a champion of women abused by men and has quietly fought for women’s liberation.”
Instagram bio description (@jessphillipsmp)
“Jess Phillips is the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, and has been an MP continually since 7 May 2015.”
“Jess Phillips served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office from 9 July 2024 until 12 May 2026.”
GOV.UK Profile (link previously referenced)
Summary of Jess Phillips’ biography and career
Jess Phillips remains an influential Labour MP and former minister, respected for her advocacy on gender-based violence and her plain-speaking style. While her net worth is not publicly known and health rumours remain unsubstantiated, her political record and published works are well documented. For more on the current Labour leadership, see Sir Keir Starmer – Biography, Wife, Net Worth & News.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jess Phillips’ age and birthday?
She was born on 9 October 1981, making her 44 years old as of 2026.
What is Jess Phillips’ salary as an MP and minister?
The base MP salary is £91,346 per year. As a minister, she would have received additional pay, but specific ministerial salary bands are not always itemised individually.
What educational background does Jess Phillips have?
She attended King Edward’s VI Camp Hill School, studied History, Economics, and Social Policy at the University of Leeds, and earned a postgraduate degree in Public Service Management from the University of Birmingham.
Where did Jess Phillips work before becoming an MP?
She worked for Women’s Aid in the West Midlands, developing services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking. She also served on Birmingham City Council and as the city’s first Victims’ Champion.
What are Jess Phillips’ main campaigns?
She co-founded #NotTheCost, which fights violence against politically active women, and Reclaim the Internet, which targets online abuse. She also campaigned for a Gaza ceasefire in 2023.
How many books has Jess Phillips written?
Four books: Everywoman (2018), Truth to Power (2019), Everything You Need to Know About Politics: My Life as an MP (2021), and Let’s Be Honest (2024).
Does Jess Phillips have a Wikipedia page?
Yes, a detailed biography is available on Wikipedia.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.