Ed Miliband is a British Labour politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Doncaster North since 2005. He is currently the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, a role he assumed in July 2024. Miliband previously led the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015 and is the younger brother of David Miliband, the former UK Foreign Secretary.
Born on 24 December 1969 in Fitzrovia, London, Miliband grew up in a politically engaged household. His father, Ralph Miliband, was a Marxist sociologist and a Polish-Jewish refugee who fled Nazi persecution. His mother, Marion Kozak, was a human rights advocate. The family background has shaped his political identity, though Miliband has described himself as an atheist.
Miliband studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University before earning an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics. He also spent time as a visiting lecturer at Harvard University. His early career included work as a special adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and as a speechwriter before entering Parliament in 2005.
Who is Ed Miliband? Biography and Background
Edward Samuel Miliband
24 December 1969 (age 55)
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Labour
- Miliband returned to the frontbench as Energy Secretary in 2024 after a period in shadow energy roles.
- He remains the MP for Doncaster North, a seat he has held for over 20 years.
- His brother David was also a senior Labour politician; the sibling dynamic shaped the 2010 Labour leadership election.
- Miliband’s religious background is often misunderstood — he identifies as Jewish by heritage but not practising.
- Compared to many MPs, Miliband’s net worth is relatively modest; detailed figures are not publicly verified.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Justine Miliband (m. 2011) |
| Children | Two sons |
| Brother | David Miliband |
| Education | Oxford (PPE), LSE (MSc) |
| Salary (2025) | £91,346 (MP) + cabinet minister supplement |
| Religion | Jewish family background; self-described atheist |
How old is Ed Miliband?
Ed Miliband was born on 24 December 1969, making him 55 years old as of 2025. He is part of a generation of Labour politicians who entered Parliament in the 2005 general election.
What is Ed Miliband’s education?
Miliband earned a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, followed by an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics. He also served as a visiting lecturer at Harvard University in 2003.
What was Ed Miliband’s role as Energy Secretary?
Miliband served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change from 2008 to 2010, overseeing the landmark Climate Change Act 2008. He later became Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in July 2024, a role that focuses on the UK’s transition to clean energy and net-zero emissions. He previously held shadow energy and business roles from 2020 to 2024.
What is Ed Miliband’s current role?
Is Ed Miliband still an MP?
Yes, Ed Miliband remains the Labour MP for Doncaster North. He has held the seat continuously since his first election in May 2005, as confirmed by the UK Parliament website.
What is Ed Miliband’s current job?
As of 2025, Miliband is the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, a cabinet position he assumed on 5 July 2024. His responsibilities include the UK’s energy policy, climate targets, and the net-zero transition. He previously served as Minister for the Cabinet Office (2007–2008) and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (2008–2010).
Does Ed Miliband still lead the Labour Party?
No. Miliband was Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015. He resigned after the party’s general election loss in 2015. He now serves as a senior cabinet minister.
Who is Ed Miliband married to? Family and Personal Life
Who is Ed Miliband’s wife?
Ed Miliband is married to Justine Thornton, an environmental lawyer. The couple married in 2011, according to Wikipedia and other sources. Justine Miliband has worked in the legal field and has kept a relatively low public profile.
Does Ed Miliband have children?
Yes, the couple has two sons, Daniel and Samuel. The BBC reported in 2010 that Miliband lived with his wife and two young sons in north London.
Who is Ed Miliband’s brother?
David Miliband is Ed Miliband’s older brother and a former Labour politician. He served as UK Foreign Secretary from 2007 to 2010 and later became CEO of the International Rescue Committee. The brothers competed for the Labour leadership in 2010, a contest Ed won. This sibling rivalry remains a notable chapter in modern British politics. For more on political biographies, see Al Carns – Biography, Political Views, and Military Career.
What is Ed Miliband’s religion?
Is Ed Miliband Jewish?
Ed Miliband comes from a Jewish family background. His father, Ralph Miliband, was a Polish-Jewish refugee, and his mother, Marion Kozak, was also of Jewish heritage. Miliband has acknowledged this background but has said he is not religious.
How does Ed Miliband describe his faith?
In interviews, Miliband has described himself as an atheist. He has stated that he is “Jewish by birth, but not religious,” separating his cultural heritage from personal belief. This distinction is often highlighted in profiles of his identity.
Miliband’s father was a Polish-Jewish refugee from Nazi persecution, which deeply influenced the family’s values. Miliband himself has said he does not practise a religion, but he respects his heritage.
What is Ed Miliband’s net worth and salary?
What is Ed Miliband’s salary as a cabinet minister?
As an MP, Ed Miliband earns a base salary of £91,346 per year (2025 rate). As a cabinet minister, he receives an additional ministerial supplement, bringing total compensation to approximately £160,000–£170,000. Exact figures vary by year and are subject to parliamentary disclosure.
What is Ed Miliband’s estimated net worth?
Publicly verified net worth figures for Ed Miliband are not available from the provided sources. Estimates from unofficial sources vary widely, but no reliable disclosure exists. His assets are understood to be relatively modest compared to some MPs, based on his long parliamentary career and standard ministerial salaries.
The search results do not provide a direct source for Ed Miliband’s net worth. Figures found online are unverified and should be treated with caution.
Ed Miliband’s Political Career Timeline
- 1969 – Born in Fitzrovia, London.
- 2005 – Elected MP for Doncaster North.
- 2007 – Appointed Minister for the Cabinet Office.
- 2008–2010 – Served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
- 2010–2015 – Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition.
- 2020–2024 – Returned to frontbench in shadow energy and business roles.
- 2024–2025 – Appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
What is known for certain about Ed Miliband?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Marriage to Justine Miliband (2011) | Exact net worth figure (multiple unverified estimates online) |
| Current role as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary and MP | Exact salary with cabinet supplements (varies by disclosure year) |
| Brother relationship with David Miliband | Detailed religious practice level (beyond self-identification) |
| Jewish family heritage | — |
What is Ed Miliband’s political comeback?
Ed Miliband’s trajectory from Labour leader (2010–2015) to senior cabinet minister in 2024 represents a notable political rehabilitation. After losing the 2015 general election, he remained on the backbenches before returning to the frontbench in shadow roles. His appointment as Energy Secretary places him at the heart of the UK’s climate and energy policy, a portfolio he first held in 2008. His role now shapes the government’s approach to net-zero targets and energy security.
Key sources on Ed Miliband
“Ed Miliband is a British Labour politician who has been Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero since July 2024.”
— UK Government official profile
“He is the younger brother of David Miliband, the former UK Foreign Secretary, and he led the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015.”
— BBC News
“Ed Miliband has described himself as an atheist.”
— Wikipedia (German edition)
Additional biographical details were sourced from BBC’s profile and The Guardian’s political analysis. For a look at another UK political figure, see Kevin Maguire – Biography, Facts, and Personal Life.
Summary: Ed Miliband’s profile in 2025
Ed Miliband remains a key figure in British politics as the Labour MP for Doncaster North and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. His career has spanned government, opposition leadership, and a return to the cabinet. While his net worth is not publicly verified, his family life, political journey, and religious background are well-documented. He continues to influence UK energy and climate policy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ed Miliband
What is Ed Miliband’s salary?
As an MP, Ed Miliband earns a base salary of £91,346 per year (2025). As a cabinet minister, he receives an additional ministerial supplement, bringing total compensation to approximately £160,000–£170,000. Exact figures vary by year and are subject to parliamentary disclosure.
How tall is Ed Miliband?
Ed Miliband is approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall, based on public appearances and comparisons to other politicians.
Where does Ed Miliband live?
Ed Miliband lives in London with his wife and children. He also owns a constituency home in Doncaster, North Yorkshire.
Is Ed Miliband still the Labour leader?
No, he led the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015 and resigned after the general election loss. He is now a senior cabinet minister.
What is Ed Miliband’s full name?
His full name is Edward Samuel Miliband.
When was Ed Miliband born?
He was born on 24 December 1969 in Fitzrovia, London.
Does Ed Miliband have any siblings?
Yes, he has an older brother, David Miliband, who was UK Foreign Secretary from 2007 to 2010.
What is Ed Miliband’s political party?
He is a member of the Labour Party.
What is Ed Miliband’s current job?
He is the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, a cabinet role he has held since July 2024.
How many children does Ed Miliband have?
He has two sons, Daniel and Samuel, with his wife Justine Miliband.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.