During the 1970s he was Director of Child Poverty Action Group, and of the Low Pay Unit. He became MP for Birkenhead at the 1979 general election. After the 1997 election he became Minister of Welfare Reform at the Department of Social Security.
He clashed with treasurer Gordon Brown, and his boss Harriet Harman, and was sacked in 1998. He is now a vocal critic of the government from the backbenches, notably voting against Foundation Hospitals in November 2003.