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Portfolio:

• Responsible for trade policy 
• UK Trade and Investment
• Export Credits Guarantee Department
• Foreign Affairs (FCO)
• Competition
• Consumer affairs
• Corporate governance
• Also attends Cabinet

Biography:

Ian McCartney rejoined the Department of Trade and Industry as Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs on in May 2006.

He was previously appointed Minister Without Portfolio and Party Chair in April 2003. He retained that role after the General Election of 2005.

Mr McCartney was previously Minister of State for Pensions at the Department for Work and Pensions (2001-2003); Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (1999-2001) and Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (1997-1999).

Prior to that, Mr McCartney held a number of positions in Opposition - spokesperson on Health, Employment, Education and Social Services.

After leaving school, Mr McCartney had a number of jobs including working as a seaman and a local Government manual worker. He was a councillor for Wigan Borough from 1982-87.

In his previous role at the Cabinet Office, Mr McCartney was responsible for modernising Government and E-Government.

At the DTI between 1997 and 1999, Mr McCartney was dealing with employment relations, the Post Office, Company Law and inward investment. During this time he succeeded in steering through legislation creating a national minimum wage, the fairness at work legislation and the Competition Act.

Mr McCartney is married with one son (Hugh, who died tragically in 1999), two daughters and seven grandchildren. He is a keen supporter of Wigan Rugby League.

Ministers Speeches

• 11 September 2006 'Trade Unions and Globalisation'