Hilary Armstrong MP

The Rt. Hon. Hilary Armstrong MP is the Labour Member of Parliament for North West Durham.

Born in Sunderland, Hilary lives in Crook, County Durham and is married to Professor Paul Corrigan. Before entering parliament Hilary spent time overseas as a VSO volunteer, teaching at a Girls School in Kenya. Returning to Britain, Hilary turned to Social and Community work in Southwick, Sunderland and in the West End of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Hilary was first elected to parliament in General Election of 1987. In Government she has been local government minister, Chief Whip, and the first-ever Cabinet Minister for Social Exclusion. In June 2007, Hilary announced her decision to step down from the Government and return to the backbenches after 18 years as a Party spokesperson and Government Minister. Outside politics, Hilary enjoys reading, the theatre and supporting Sunderland AFC.

Teachers on board with Blair Sports Foundation

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation passed an important milestone today, when the first batch of local teachers were inducted into the organisation's indoor rowing programme. Nineteen teachers, drawn from 15 schools were put through their paces at Sedgefield Community College... more…

Schools invited to take up tennis challenge

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation has written to primary schools in the North East urging them to take up the challenge of the first annual Tony Blair Tennis Competition for schools. A letter to hundreds of schools, written by... more…

Blair backs rising tennis stars

Tennis in the North East is to receive a huge boost after Roger Draper, chief executive of the LTA announced today the first annual Tony Blair Tennis Competition for schools. One of the main focuses of the new Foundation will... more…

Blair seeking a firm foundation

Tony Blair has outlined his vision for the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, launched today, in an interview with former Olympic rower James Cracknell for the Daily Telegraph. Mr Blair explained that the model for the foundation was to encourage adults... more…

Sedgefield launches Champions' Challenge

Local schools in Sedgefield will be the first beneficiaries of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation’s Champions’ Challenge. Concept2, key delivery partners in the indoor rowing element of the Foundation’s activities, are underwriting the programme in the Sedgefield School Sports Partnership.... more…

Tony Blair issues Champions' Challenge

The Tony Blair Sports Foundation is offering partners an opportunity to align themselves to a unique Wellbeing programme, aimed at schoolchildren and increasingly sedentary workforces. The Foundation’s Champions’ Challenge will link the local business community with the 30 School... more…