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{{Short description|British politician}}{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}

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HTTP://NEWS.BBC.CO.UK/DEMOCRACYLIVE/HI/REPRESENTATIVES/PROFILES/35499.STMPUBLISHER=BBC NEWSACCESS-DATE=25 JULY 2010ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20140512230052/HTTP://NEWS.BBC.CO.UK/DEMOCRACYLIVE/HI/REPRESENTATIVES/PROFILES/35499.STMDF=DMY-ALL, | birth_place = Crewe, Cheshire, EnglandProfile, ukwhoswho.com; accessed 12 May 2015.| residence = Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire, England| death_date = | death_place = | nationality = BritishConservative Party (UK)>Conservative| alma_mater = University College, Oxfordpaulmaynard.co.uk}}| office = Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions| primeminister = Rishi SunakLaura Trott (politician)>Laura Trott| term_start = 13 November 2023}}Paul Maynard{{London Gazette |issue=59418 |date=13 May 2010 |page=8743}} (born 16 December 1975) is a British politician who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Blackpool North and Cleveleys. A member of the Conservative Party, he has served Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions since November 2023.WEB, Smith, Sophie, 2023-11-16, Paul Maynard confirmed as Minister for Pensions,weblink 2023-11-17, Pensions Age Magazine, en, WEB, 2023-11-16, Ministerial appointments: November 2023,weblink 2023-11-17, GOV.UK, en, He previously as served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice in 2019 and for Transport from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2020.

Early life

Born in Crewe, Cheshire, Maynard was left with cerebral palsy and a speech defect when he was strangled by the umbilical cord at birth. At the age of 22 he developed epilepsy, meaning he needs to be teetotal to avoid having seizures.NEWS,weblink 'MPs pulled faces at me. Quite clearly, I needed roughing up, The Times, 5 February 2011, 27 April 2017,weblink 28 April 2017, live, {{subscription required}}NEWS, Mulholland, Hélène,weblink Charity voices anger after MPs 'mocked Tory with disability', The Guardian, 8 February 2011, 27 April 2017, live,weblink 28 April 2017, dmy-all, He attended a special needs school between the ages of three and five before transferring to mainstream education.NEWS, Dunning, Jeremy,weblink Paul Maynard MP: life with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, Community Care, 1 July 2010, 27 April 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170428051713weblink">weblink 28 April 2017, dmy-all, He attended St Ambrose College, a grammar school based in Altrincham, and went on to obtain a first class history degree at University College, Oxford. Maynard was a reader at his local church and was also a governor at his local Catholic primary school.WEB, Paul Maynard,weblink Conservative Party, 8 May 2010, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100518115939weblink">weblink 18 May 2010, dmy-all,

Political career

After leaving university, Maynard worked as an adviser to the Conservative MP Liam Fox and as a speechwriter for William Hague – the Conservative MP and Leader of the Opposition. On 7 December 2000, he stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate in a by-election in the Custom House and Silvertown ward of Newham London Borough Council.He came fourth when he stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate in the Beckton ward of Newham Council on the 29 March 2001 and subsequently failed to get elected as a councillor on the Custom House ward of Newham Council on 2 May 2002.WEB,weblink London Borough Council Elections, Greater London Authority, 6 May 2018,weblink 3 March 2016, live, He unsuccessfully stood as the Conservative candidate for Twickenham in the 2005 general election, finishing second with 32.4% of the vote and a 2% swing to the Liberal Democrats.NEWS, Twickenham,weblink Guardian News and Media, The Guardian, 12 May 2015, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140924232642weblink">weblink 24 September 2014, dmy-all, Maynard was selected from the 'A List' for Blackpool North and Cleveleys in December 2006, having been on the Conservative A-ListWEB,weblink David Cameron's A list MPs, Channel 4 News, 8 May 2010, 27 April 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160814025623weblink">weblink 14 August 2016, dmy-all, and moved to the constituency to live. Maynard was elected to the House of Commons in the 2010 general election with a majority of 2,150.NEWS, Election 2010 – Blackpool North & Cleveleys,weblink BBC News, 12 May 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170905001210weblink">weblink 5 September 2017, live, He was the second person who has cerebral palsy to become a British MP; Conservative Terry Dicks was the first.NEWS, Rentoul, John, Unaccustomed as they are...., 6 June 2010,weblink 16 June 2010, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100609133334weblink">weblink 9 June 2010, dmy-all, The Independent, ESI Media, In February 2011, Maynard told The Times about the abuse he suffered from Labour MPs, who had mocked his disability during a Commons debate on the abolition of the Child Trust Fund on 26 October 2010.NEWS, Asthana, Anushka, Bloch, Sarah,weblink Labour treatment of disabled MP 'made me feel sick', says Equalities chief, The Times, 6 February 2011, 27 April 2017,weblink 28 April 2017, live, {{subscription required}} Various Labour Party sources confirmed that such behaviour was unacceptableNEWS, Asthana, Anushka,weblink Labour treatment of disabled MP 'made me feel sick', says Equalities chief, The Times, 6 February 2011, 27 April 2017,weblink 28 April 2017, live, {{subscription required}} and Rosie Winterton, the Labour chief whip, and her deputy Alan Campbell were reported to have spoken to MPs about the incident shortly afterwards.NEWS,weblink Speaker takes no action over mocking of disabled MP, The Times, 8 February 2011, 27 April 2017,weblink 28 April 2017, live, {{subscription required}} A few days after Maynard's Times interview, John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, issued a written statement warning MPs that such abuse was unacceptable. It was reported he had known about the incident for more than three months before speaking to Maynard.NEWS,weblink Speaker urged to act over disabled MP abuse, The Times, 7 February 2011, 27 April 2017,weblink 28 April 2017, live, NEWS,weblink Politics live blog – Monday 7 February, Guardian News and Media, The Guardian, 18 February 2011, Andrew, Sparrow, 7 February 2011, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131001001222weblink">weblink 1 October 2013, dmy-all, In October 2013, Maynard stated 'In Canada you have people going to food banks every week and it can become a habit. But there is more government can do.' Following criticism from a number of charities, Maynard apologised for causing offence.NEWS, Tory MP Paul Maynard suggests food banks could become a 'habit' for people in poverty,weblink ESI Media, The Independent, 9 May 2018, 3 October 2013,weblink 10 May 2018, live, NEWS, Maynard retreats from 'extremists' comments,weblink Disability News Service, 9 May 2018, 19 July 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161023113735weblink">weblink 23 October 2016, live, In 2014, he was featured in media coverage of the continuing high costs of the parliamentary expenses system, with his name included in a group of Conservative MPs with high claims for First Class rail travel.NEWS, Carry On Claiming: MPs' £4.5m Expenses,weblink Sky News, 9 May 2018, 9 January 2014,weblink 10 May 2018, live, A donation, not thought to break parliamentary rules, was made to Maynard's constituency party before his appointment as an advisor to then Energy secretary Amber Rudd following the 2015 general election. He declared a £5,000 donation to his constituency party in the register of members' interests from Addison Projects in March 2015. Addison PLC is an engineering company based in his constituency near to an intended drill site of the Cuadrilla company.NEWS, Milmo, Cahal, McSmith, Andy,weblink Fracking: Energy Secretary's advisor received £5,000 election donation from company set to benefit from controversial technique, The Independent, 28 June 2015, 27 April 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170428052520weblink">weblink 28 April 2017, dmy-all, In October 2015, in place of a normal debate in the Commons, it emerged that Maynard was a member of a committee of MPs to vote and debate on proposals to allow drilling for shale gas (or fracking) under protected areas, such as national parks, to the disapproval of the Labour opposition and anti-fracking activists.NEWS, Mason, Rowena,weblink Ministers accused of trying to sneak through new fracking rules, Guardian News and Media, The Guardian, 27 October 2015, 27 April 2017, live,weblink 28 April 2017, dmy-all, Maynard voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in 2013.NEWS,weblink More Conservative MPs voted against same-sex marriage than for it, Pink News, 5 February 2013, 27 April 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170427145120weblink">weblink 27 April 2017, dmy-all, In the 2015 General Election, Maynard was returned as MP for his seat, with an increased majority of 3,340. Results elsewhere left Maynard as one of only two self-identified disabled MPs.NEWS, New parliament sees number of disabled MPs plunge,weblink 6 May 2018, 15 May 2015,weblink 13 September 2019, live, Maynard supported the UK leaving the European Union prior to the 2016 referendum.NEWS, Goodenough, Tom, Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?,weblink 11 October 2016, The Spectator, 16 February 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170203120144weblink">weblink 3 February 2017, live, In July 2016, new Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Maynard to replace Claire Perry as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Transport. He had responsibility for major rail projects, rail safety and security, passenger services, transport funding, accessibility, and rail fares and ticketing.NEWS,weblink Blackpool MP given top government job, Blackpool Gazette, 17 July 2016, 19 May 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161024103135weblink">weblink 24 October 2016, dmy-all, He faced criticism due to unresolved industrial action, and consequent major service disruption, on the Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway) line.WEB, Francis, Paul,weblink Southern Rail: Minister Paul Maynard criticised after months of strike action on line, Kent Online, 5 December 2016, 19 May 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161221220344weblink">weblink 21 December 2016, dmy-all, Maynard was again returned as MP in 2017, but with a reduced majority of 2,023. Results elsewhere meant Maynard was one of five self-identified disabled MPs, an increase of three since the previous general election.NEWS, New intake brings number of disabled MPs in Commons to five,weblink 6 May 2018, 11 June 2017,weblink 10 May 2018, live, On 9 January 2018, Prime Minister Theresa May made Maynard a Government Whip by awarding him the role of Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury and he ceased working as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Transport.Maynard has campaigned on a range of issues, such keeping fuel prices low and investment for rebuilding St Mary's Catholic College.WEB,weblink Conservative Party, 9 May 2018, Paul Maynard,weblink 10 May 2018, live, He has long been an advocate for disabilities, with active links to the RDA,RDA Northwest {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710082850weblink |date=10 July 2016 }} Scope and Trailblazers.WEB,weblink Paul Maynard MP wins award for work with Trailblazers, Muscular Dystrophy UK, 28 June 2012, 19 May 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180204173449weblink">weblink 4 February 2018, dmy-all, In May 2016, Maynard played an active role in improving accessibility of apprenticeships for people with learning disabilities. Engaging with a task force he produced a list of recommendations to be reviewed by the BIS and DWP for future consideration.WEB,weblink Paul Maynard taskforce recommendations, GOV.UK, 11 July 2016, 19 May 2017, live,weblink 25 April 2017, dmy-all, In Parliament, Maynard previously served on the Work and Pensions Committee and Transport Committee.WEB,weblink Paul Maynard MP, UK Government, GOV.UK, 9 May 2018,weblink 10 May 2018, live, In May 2019, he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice in the Second May ministry until July 2019. During his time in role he initiated renovation of courts and judiciary sites WEB,weblink £15m funding for over 450 courts, 20 June 2019, and announced the introduction of body worn cameras for bailiffs acting on behalf of the High Court WEB,weblink Gov UK bodyworn cameras to curb aggressive bailiffs, en, 22 July 2019, In July 2019, Maynard was named as Aviation Minister. He launched the Airfield Development Fund WEB, £2 million new funding allocated to support local airfields,weblink en, 13 February 2020, The December 2019 General Election saw Maynard retain his seat with a majority of 8,596.WEB, Parliament UK election results,weblink He stood on a manifesto backing Brexit, investing in the NHS, Police and young people. WEB, Blackpool Gazette candidates of 2019 GE,weblink 2 December 2019, In June 2022, he proposed a law to replace the House of Lords with an elected Senate.WEB, Maddox, David, 'Wrong for the 21st Century' Tory MP hatches plot to chuck out unelected Remoaner Lords,weblink Express.co.uk, 7 July 2022, en, 27 June 2022, Maynard supported Rishi Sunak in the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.NEWS, Dalton, Jane, Instructions from Rishi Sunak to Tory MPs over leadership bid accidentally revealed,weblink 10 July 2022, The Independent, 9 July 2022, en, During his time as a backbencher Maynard became Chair of the first ever Cerebral Palsy APPG, WEB, Action CP News - Cerebral Palsy APPG,weblink 7 October 2022, Chair of the Assistive Technology APPG, WEB, Parliament UK Register of APPGs,weblink 13 December 2023, Chair of the Penal Affairs APPG WEB, Parliament UK APPG List, 17 May 2022, and was an active member of the Debt and Personal Finance APPG. WEB, APPG for Debt and Personal Finance,weblink 23 January 2024, His interest in debt support and limited access to cash machines led him to become a member of the LINK Consumer Council.WEB, LINK Consumer Council Members,weblink 23 January 2024, Maynard donated his earnings from sitting on the Consumer Council to local charities NEWS, MP consultancy fee goes to good causes,weblink 9 November 2021, In the November 2023 British cabinet reshuffle, he returned to the frontbench as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions, succeeding Laura Trott.In January 2024, following an investigation by The Sunday Times newspaper, Maynard was referred to the parliamentary expenses watchdog after allegedly using taxpayer funds to pay for party political material and that he claimed rent from an office used by the local Conservative Party. Maynard claimed £106,000 in printing costs since 2010, the most of any Conservative MP.NEWS, 2024-01-10, Minister investigated for spending taxpayer cash on Tory campaigns,weblink 2024-01-10, The Sunday Times, en, 0140-0460, The Labour Party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds urged Rishi Sunak to refer the case to the prime minister's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus.NEWS, 2024-01-10, Labour tells Sunak to investigate MP's finances,weblink 2024-01-10, The Times, en, 0140-0460,

Personal life

Maynard lives in Bispham, Blackpool. He is a Catholic.NEWS, Lee, Ceridwen,weblink Fall in Number of Catholic MPs in the House of Commons Ahead of Landmark Debate on Assisted Dying, The Tablet, 27 August 2015, 17 May 2017, live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170809041524weblink">weblink 9 August 2017, dmy-all, NEWS, Minister investigated for spending taxpayer cash on Tory campaigns,weblink The Times,

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

• Paul Maynard MP Official constituency website
• Paul Maynard MP Conservative Party
• Blackpool Conservatives
• {{UK MP links | parliament = paul-maynard/3926 | guardian = 9391/paul-maynard | publicwhip = Paul_Maynard | theywork = paul_maynard | record = Paul-Maynard/Blackpool-North-and-Cleveleys/1184 | bbc = 35499.stm | journalisted = }}
• {{C-SPAN|58253}}

{{North West Conservative Party MPs}}{{Authority control}}