Matt Hancock

Matthew Hancock
Born	Matthew John David Hancock (1978-10-02) October 2, 1978 Chester, Cheshire, England
Occupation(s)	Politician, economist
Years active	2010–2024 (MP)
Known for	Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (2018–2021), Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (2018), Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (2015–2016)

Matthew John David Hancock (born 2 October 1978) is a former British politician who held several significant government positions, including Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General from 2015 to 2016, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport between January and July 2018, and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care from 2018 until 2021. He represented the West Suffolk constituency as a MP from 2010 until 2024, aligned with the Conservative Party.

Prior to his political career, Hancock worked as an economist at the Bank of England and subsequently took on roles as senior economic adviser and chief of staff to George Osborne. After securing a parliamentary seat in 2010, he occupied junior ministerial positions within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills between 2012 and 2015, also serving as the UK Anti-Corruption Champion during 2014–2015. Under Prime Minister David Cameron’s administration, he entered the cabinet as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. Theresa May later appointed him Minister of State for Digital and Culture before promoting him to Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In July 2018, Hancock replaced Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. He briefly contested the 2019 Conservative leadership election but withdrew early, endorsing Boris Johnson, who retained him in the health secretary role.

As health secretary, Hancock was instrumental in leading the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. His responsibilities included managing procurement processes—some of which faced criticism due to lack of competitive tendering—expanding testing and contact tracing initiatives, and overseeing the initial deployment of COVID-19 vaccinations. In June 2021, Hancock resigned following revelations that he had violated social distancing regulations amid an extramarital relationship with Gina Coladangelo, a director at the Department of Health and Social Care. Sajid Javid succeeded him in this role.

In November 2022, after announcing his participation in the reality television series I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Hancock had the Conservative Party whip suspended; he ultimately finished in third place on the show. He chose not to stand for re-election in the 2024 general election.

Early life and education

Matthew Hancock was born on 2 October 1978 in Chester, Cheshire, to parents Michael Hancock and Shirley Hills, who operated a software business. He has an elder sister and a brother.

His early education included attendance at Farndon County Primary School followed by private schooling at King's School, Chester, where he completed A-levels in Mathematics, Physics, Computing, and Economics. He pursued further studies in computing at West Cheshire College. Subsequently, Hancock graduated with first-class honours in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from Exeter College, Oxford, followed by a Master of Philosophy degree in Economics from Christ's College, Cambridge. During his university years, he was diagnosed with dyslexia. Hancock became a member of the Conservative Party in 1999.

Early career

Following graduation, Hancock briefly worked within his family’s software firm, Border Business Systems, and also gained experience working for a backbench Conservative MP. He then relocated to London to serve as an economist at the Bank of England with a focus on housing market analysis. In 2005, he was appointed economic adviser to Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and later advanced to become Osborne’s chief of staff.

Parliamentary career

In January 2010, Hancock was chosen as the Conservative Party candidate for West Suffolk, securing a narrow victory in the final selection round. During the 2010 general election, he won the West Suffolk seat with 50.6% of the votes, achieving a majority of 13,050.

Hancock served on the Public Accounts Committee from June 2010 until November 2012 and was a member of the Standards and Privileges Committee between October 2010 and December 2012. In 2011, he became part of the Free Enterprise Group, a Thatcherite Conservative faction co-founded by Liz Truss.

He was appointed Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in October 2013. By June 2014, Hancock had urged employers to increase apprenticeship opportunities to help tackle youth unemployment. On 15 July 2014, he advanced to Minister of State for Business and Enterprise. That same month, he announced measures to protect National Parks from fracking activities to mitigate opposition within Conservative-held constituencies prior to upcoming elections.

From 2014 to 2015, Hancock held the role of Minister of State for Energy. During this time, he attracted criticism for using a private jet to travel back from an energy conference in Aberdeen where he signed an agreement on energy cooperation with Mexico. Additionally, he faced scrutiny over accepting donations from a supporter linked to climate change denial organisations.

In October 2014, Hancock issued an apology after sharing a retweet featuring a contentious poem targeting the Labour Party.

At the 2015 general election, Hancock increased his vote share to 52.2%, winning with a majority of 14,984. In May 2015, he was appointed Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. He spearheaded a social mobility programme aimed at enhancing diversity within the civil service and led David Cameron’s "earn or learn" taskforce focused on ensuring all young people were either employed or in education by April 2017. He also announced that unemployed individuals aged 18 to 21 would be required to participate in work experience placements or face potential benefit sanctions.

During the 2016 referendum on EU membership, Hancock supported remaining within the European Union.

He secured re-election in the snap general election of 2017 with a vote share of 61.2% and a majority of 17,063, and again in 2019 with an increased vote share of 65.8% and a majority of 23,194.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

On 15 July 2016, Hancock joined the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as Minister of State for Digital and Culture under Prime Minister Theresa May. In June 2017, he reaffirmed commitment to a "full fibre" broadband policy targeting superfast coverage (24 Mbps) for 97% of UK premises by 2020.

In August 2017, Hancock introduced enhanced data protection regulations aimed at improving personal data security and user control. On 8 January 2018, during Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle, he was promoted to Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, succeeding Karen Bradley. Early in his tenure as Secretary of State, he publicly criticized the BBC over high remuneration levels awarded to some foreign journalists.

In early 2018, Hancock launched the "Matt Hancock MP App," designed as a social networking platform to facilitate communication with constituents and provide updates about his cabinet responsibilities. The app collected user information such as photos and contacts with explicit consent but encountered privacy concerns raised by organisations including Big Brother Watch. The application was discontinued in early 2023.

As Media Secretary in May 2018, Hancock confirmed plans to reduce the maximum stake allowed on fixed odds betting terminals to £2 following Prime Minister May’s endorsement of this measure.

May Administration

After Jeremy Hunt transitioned to the role of Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Hancock was appointed as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for England on 9 July 2018. In November 2018, Hancock encountered criticism for endorsing a subscription-based mobile health app developed by Babylon in the Evening Standard. It was reported that Babylon had sponsored the publication. Labour MP Justin Madders accused Hancock of violating ministerial conduct rules by promoting a company that received funding from the NHS, contravening guidelines that prohibit ministers from supporting entities reliant on government financing.

In April 2019, despite Hancock’s earlier assertion that there would be "no privatisation on my watch" within the NHS, he faced Labour Party criticism for awarding 21 NHS contracts totaling £127 million to private companies.

2019 Conservative Party Leadership Bid

Following Theresa May’s announcement of her resignation on 24 May 2019, Hancock declared his intention to run for the leadership of the Conservative Party. During his campaign, he opposed the planned prorogation of Parliament aimed at facilitating Brexit, calling on fellow candidates to join his stance on 6 June 2019. He also advocated for televised debates among leadership contenders. After securing only twenty votes in the initial ballot, Hancock withdrew from the contest on 14 June, subsequently endorsing Boris Johnson as the party leader.

Early Period under Johnson

Hancock retained his position as Health Secretary when Boris Johnson became Prime Minister. Although he had opposed it during the Conservative leadership race, Hancock supported Johnson's 2019 decision to prorogue Parliament. However, on 24 September, the Supreme Court declared this prorogation unlawful.

In a September 2019 interview with Channel 4 News, Hancock addressed allegations that Johnson had inappropriately touched journalist Charlotte Edwardes at a private lunch in 1999. He expressed trust in Edwardes' version of events, a sentiment also shared by Conservative MP Amber Rudd. Both Johnson and officials at Downing Street denied these accusations.

In October 2019, former Prime Minister David Cameron and financier Lex Greensill lobbied Hancock to implement a payment scheme later adopted by the NHS, linking him to the ensuing Greensill scandal.

In November 2019, Hancock issued a public apology to Bethany, an autistic teenager subjected to solitary confinement within psychiatric care. He acknowledged shortcomings in her treatment, describing her situation as "incredibly difficult and complex," and initiated a comprehensive review of all patients held under similar conditions.

COVID-19 pandemic

The presence of COVID-19 in the UK was officially confirmed on 31 January 2020. At that time, Hancock revealed that the Government was evaluating "significant measures" that would affect social and economic spheres. Initially, social distancing recommendations were largely disregarded, prompting Hancock to adopt a firmer position than the prime minister by condemning those who continued to gather as "very selfish." Subsequently, legislation was introduced to prohibit such assemblies.

On 27 March 2020, both Hancock and Boris Johnson tested positive for COVID-19. Hancock experienced mild symptoms and underwent a seven-day period of self-isolation before providing updates on testing objectives and unveiling plans to cancel £13.4 billion in NHS debt.

In April 2020, Hancock faced backlash after reports suggested that the target of conducting 100,000 COVID-19 tests daily was met by counting incomplete home test kits. This method was challenged by the UK Statistics Authority and criticized as a "Potemkin testing regime."

Amid early pandemic concerns over inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), doctors reported delivering 45,000 masks to hospitals. NHS personnel struggled with PPE shortages and resorted to makeshift protective solutions, while Hancock denied the existence of a nationwide shortage.

On 5 April 2020, Hancock cautioned that outdoor exercise in England could be prohibited if social distancing guidelines were not adhered to.

Hancock drew criticism on 5 May 2020 for remarks perceived as sexist after advising Labour MP Rosena Allin-Khan to alter her "tone" when addressing testing deficiencies.

On 15 August 2020, Hancock announced intentions to consolidate Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace into a newly formed entity called the National Institute for Health Protection—later renamed the UK Health Security Agency—aimed at better preparing for a potential increase in cases.

In October 2020, Hancock denied violating a 10 pm drinking curfew within the House of Commons; however, he was soon photographed without a mask in his chauffeur-driven vehicle.

In December 2020, Hancock inaccurately attributed the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) expedited approval of the first COVID-19 vaccine to Brexit. The MHRA clarified that this rapid authorization was facilitated by EU legislation during the transition period.

January 2021 saw the reintroduction of shopping vouchers for families facing hardship, which Hancock endorsed despite having previously opposed such measures in Parliament.

A High Court ruling on 19 February 2021 found Hancock acted unlawfully by postponing disclosure of PPE contract details beyond legally mandated deadlines.

In April 2021, it was revealed that Hancock held a 20% stake in Topwood Limited, a family-run company awarded NHS contracts for document management services. Although no direct involvement by Hancock was alleged, Lord Geidt highlighted potential conflicts of interest due to nondisclosure; Hancock claimed ignorance regarding the framework agreement decision.

Dominic Cummings, a former adviser at Downing Street, accused Hancock of "criminal, disgraceful behaviour" that contributed to thousands of preventable COVID-19 fatalities early in the pandemic and argued that he should have been dismissed multiple times. Polls reflected substantial public support for his resignation. Prime Minister Johnson defended Hancock’s actions.

More than 20,000 elderly or disabled residents in care homes died from COVID-19 across England and Wales. In April 2022, the High Court ruled it unlawful to discharge patients into care homes without prior testing. The judges found no indication that Hancock considered risks from asymptomatic transmission despite increasing awareness during March 2020.

Resignation

On 25 June 2021, it emerged that Hancock had violated COVID-19 social distancing regulations with Gina Coladangelo, a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) adviser and longtime friend from Oxford University, after The Sun published CCTV footage showing them sharing a kiss in his Whitehall office on 6 May. Government protocols permitted such interactions only from 17 May onward. Additionally, Hancock failed to disclose appointing Coladangelo initially as an unpaid adviser and subsequently as a paid non-executive director within the department, receiving an annual salary between £15,000 and £20,000 funded by public money.

That same day, Hancock issued an apology for "letting people down" and acknowledged breaking the guidelines. Prime Minister Boris Johnson accepted the apology and regarded the issue as resolved. Nevertheless, on 26 June, Hancock resigned, emphasizing that those who establish rules must adhere to them. Sajid Javid succeeded him as Health Secretary later that day.

Former Cabinet members remarked that their offices had never been monitored by cameras, raising concerns about the presence of the CCTV footage. Reports indicated the footage was leaked by a DHSC staff member opposed to lockdown measures; consequently, an internal inquiry was launched to identify the source amid fears of potential blackmail.

The incident sparked public outrage and mockery. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group warned that such conduct could weaken public adherence to restrictions. Conservative Party co-chair Amanda Milling suggested the controversy played a role in the party’s defeat in the 2021 Batley and Spen by-election.

In July 2021, the Information Commissioner’s Office began investigating the CCTV leak. On 29 July, Newmarket Town Council passed a vote of no confidence against Hancock in his capacity as MP, with Mayor Michael Jefferys casting the deciding vote.

Hancock also faced scrutiny regarding early pandemic PPE shortages within the NHS, procurement contracts for face masks, and discharging elderly patients into care homes without COVID-19 testing. He defended his handling of these issues by citing unprecedented global demand for PPE.

Return to the backbenches

On 12 October 2021, Hancock was appointed as a special representative for financial innovation and climate change at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, an unpaid advisory position aimed at supporting Africa’s economic recovery after the pandemic. However, this appointment was withdrawn four days later by the UN.

During Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Hancock provided accommodation for seven Ukrainian refugees at his home in Suffolk through the "Homes for Ukraine" initiative.

In December 2022, he declared he would not contest his seat in the forthcoming general election.

In June 2023, Hancock was compelled to apologise to Parliament after breaching the MPs’ Code of Conduct by sending an unsolicited letter to the parliamentary standards commissioner in an attempt to influence an investigation concerning Conservative MP Steve Brine.

He did not stand as a candidate in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.

Pandemic Diaries

In April 2022, Hancock announced plans to release his memoirs covering his experience during the COVID-19 crisis, titled Pandemic Diaries, co-authored with Isabel Oakeshott and published by Biteback Publishing. Proceeds were pledged to NHS-related charities, with publication occurring in December 2022.

Composed retrospectively based on Hancock’s memories and communication records, the book disputed claims that transferring patients into care homes caused fatalities, instead attributing outbreaks primarily to care home staff. It also contained critical commentary on Dominic Cummings. Critics observed that the narrative portrayed Hancock in an overly favorable light, suggesting a revisionist approach that depicted him as unusually foresighted with hindsight advantage.

Gaby Hinsliff of The Guardian recognized valuable insights into political decision-making but criticized its hindsight bias. Rod Dacombe from i dismissed it as lacking literary quality and absurd. Adam Wagner writing for Prospect described it as self-serving and vindictive while acknowledging some authentic disclosures pending further details from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Wagner further suggested that Hancock’s removal of exceptions for protests during lockdown implied possible governmental overreach motivated by political considerations.

In February 2023, Oakeshott released private WhatsApp exchanges obtained during writing, published in the Daily Telegraph under The Lockdown Files. One message from April 2020 revealed Hancock acknowledging expert advice from Professor Chris Whitty recommending universal testing for all care home entrants but later opting only to commit to testing hospital discharges. A spokesperson for Hancock denied claims he disregarded clinical advice on care home testing and asserted that leaked messages had been manipulated to misrepresent facts.

Bridgen v Hancock defamation lawsuit

In January 2023, Andrew Bridgen MP accused Hancock of defamation, alleging that a tweet from Hancock wrongly characterized his vaccine criticism as antisemitic. The High Court dismissed part of Bridgen's claim in March 2024 and ordered him to cover £40,000 in legal fees payable to Hancock. By June 2024, Justice Collins Rice determined that Hancock’s tweet constituted an opinion rather than an assertion of fact, though Bridgen was permitted to revise his complaint. As of December 2024, the proceedings are still underway.

Appearance on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Hancock took part in the 22nd edition of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, which was recorded during parliamentary sittings. A special arrangement allowed him to maintain communication with his constituency team if necessary. His participation aimed to highlight his dyslexia awareness campaign and to present a more relatable image by using the reality show platform to share meaningful messages. Reportedly receiving a fee of £400,000—among the highest for contestants—he committed to donating proceeds to St Nicholas Hospice and dyslexia-related charities.

Entering the competition on 9 November 2022 alongside comedian Seann Walsh, Hancock faced inquiries from fellow participants regarding his time as Health Secretary. He expressed regret over breaching social distancing protocols but insisted that he did not violate any laws and stood by his decisions during the pandemic.

On 16 November, Hancock disclosed that he had advised Boris Johnson against contesting the Conservative leadership in October 2022 and described Liz Truss’s political future as "completely over." He advanced to the final on 27 November 2022, ultimately securing third place.

Among contestants

Reactions from co-contestants were varied. On 18 November 2022, contestant Boy George labeled Hancock as "slimy and slippery," admitting difficulty in separating the politician’s public persona from the individual. Journalist Charlene White voiced concerns that showing sympathy toward Hancock might endanger her professional standing.

From external parties

The Conservative Party withdrew the whip from Hancock, excluding him from their parliamentary group while maintaining his party membership. An online petition opposing his involvement amassed close to 40,000 signatures. Advocacy organizations such as Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice and 38 Degrees staged protests by flying a banner over the camp reading: "Covid bereaved say get out of here!".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who had collaborated with Hancock during his time as Chancellor, expressed disappointment regarding Hancock’s reality television participation and discomfort with what he perceived as a diminution of dignity.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone received numerous complaints concerning Hancock’s conduct on the show, prompting discussions about MPs’ responsibilities while serving their constituents. Meanwhile, Ofcom recorded nearly 2,000 complaints in the first week related both to Hancock’s appearance and how other contestants treated him.

Hancock violated government protocols on post-ministerial employment by failing to seek advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments before joining the program; however, the committee chair, Lord Pickles, judged any penalty would be excessive.

On 23 May 2024, Rishi Sunak reinstated the whip to Hancock.

Personal life

In 2006, Hancock wed Martha Hoyer Millar, an osteopath and the granddaughter of the inaugural Baron Inchyra. Together, they have three children: one daughter and two sons. Reports from 2018 indicate that Hancock restricted his children's access to social media platforms. The family resided in Little Thurlow, located within his West Suffolk parliamentary area.

After an extramarital relationship with his political assistant Gina Coladangelo became public in June 2021, Hancock separated from his wife and began a relationship with Coladangelo. He acknowledged this during an appearance on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.

Throughout his parliamentary career, Hancock maintained homes both in London and within his constituency. In 2012, he undertook jockey training and succeeded in winning a horse race held in Newmarket, Suffolk. As an avid Newcastle United fan, he auctioned a signed team jersey in May 2020 to support NHS fundraising efforts.

Hancock disclosed in 2018 that he has dyslexia, a condition first identified during his academic years at Oxford.

On 25 January 2023, authorities detained a 61-year-old man accused of assaulting Hancock on the London Underground.