Tim Loughton MP is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children. He was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, in 1962. He was educated at Priory School, Lewes; the University of Warwick; and Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied classical civilisation and Mesopotamian archaeology. He lives in Sussex with his wife Elizabeth, son and two daughters. He was first elected to Parliament on1 May 1997 for the new West Sussex constituency of East Worthing and Shoreham.

After a period as PPS to Shadow Chancellor Francis Maude, Tim was promoted to the front bench environment team in February 2000 with responsibility for regeneration, the regions and housing. In September 2001 he was made Shadow Health Minister with mental health, social services and children's health and social care as part of his brief. In June 2003 he was made Shadow Minister for Children.

Tim’s departmental portfolio includes safeguarding and child protection, social work, children in care and adoption, youth, families with multiple problems, early intervention, and family law.

His outside interests include photography, skiing, archaeology, wine and the South Downs.