Chris Evans

Christopher James Evans (born 7 July 1976) is a Labour Co-operative politician in the United Kingdom, who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Islwyn since 2010.

Early life
Chris Evans was brought up in the Rhondda valleys. He graduated with a history degree from Trinity College, Carmarthen.

Before being elected to Parliament he worked as a bookmaker, in a bank and as a trade union official. He worked as a parliamentary researcher to then-Islwyn MP Don Touhig for four years.

Parliamentary career
He was the Labour candidate for Cheltenham at the 2005 general election, but lost. However, at the 2010 general election he was elected MP for the safe Labour seat of Islwyn.

His maiden speech focused on affordable lending and pay day loans. Since being elected he has campaigned against fuel poverty  and in January 2011 led a Westminster Hall debate and spoke out against energy price rises. He is also a campaigner for the introduction of a Presumption of Death Act.

He led a Westminster Hall debate on employment opportunities for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Evans is a member of the Justice Select Committee. In July 2012, after two years as an MP, he was promoted to the Shadow Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as Parliamentary Private Secretary to shadow Secretary of State Mary Creagh Following a reshuffle in October 2013, Evans joined Labour's Shadow Treasury Team as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Chris Leslie.

Dangerous dogs
On 19 January 2012, Evans revealed that he had been attacked by a dog which left a one-inch scar on his middle finger as he called on the government to take action against irresponsible dog owners.

Since then, he has been campaigning to promote responsible dog ownership. In May 2012 he held a Westminster Hall debate on dangerous dog legislation and called on the government to introduce the compulsory microchipping of all dogs, recorded by a single national database.

Banking Responsibility and Disclosure Bill
In March 2012 Evans introduced a ten-minute rule bill called 'The Banking Responsibility and Disclosure Bill' which aimed to tackle the growing problem of financial exclusion to ensure that banks are responsible for their actions. He has written several articles on this topic.

The Islwyn Work Experience Programme
In 2013 Evans launched a work experience program in Islwyn to help combat the problem of youth unemployment. Working alongside 200 local businesses, the scheme offers 6–8 week work placements for 18- to 24-year-olds out of work. Unlike government schemes the Islwyn Work Experience Programme is entirely voluntary with applicants receiving additional help from Job Centre Plus to continue looking for permanent work It was launched alongside local businesses at a media event at the Crosskeys campus of Coleg Gwent.