The MP for Makerfield was selected for his strong record of working on local issues affecting CAB clients, most recently supporting his local bureau in Wigan on their work on immigration and tax credit overpayments.

He has also demonstrated commitment to supporting Citizens Advice nationally in its work to improve employment practice, in particular its recent campaign to highlight flaws in the Employment Tribunal system.

This is the third year that Citizens Advice, the national member organisation of Citizens Advice Bureaux, has made such an award.

Previous winners were Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor and MP for Twickenham in 2008, and Treasury Select Committee Chairman Right Hon John McFall MP in 2007.