Esther McVey - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

Government minister Esther McVey has become a lightening rod for anger about benefit cuts and welfare reform.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions knows all about financial struggle, starting out in life as a foster child.Mark Coles finds out how the former presenter has gone from a breakfast TV sofa to the front benches of the House of Commons.

In a rare interview, Esther’s father Jim tells us why he decided to put his daughter into care, and how he helped kick-start her on-screen career.We find out what a former producer really thinks of her, and her partner Conservative MP Philip Davies reveals what made him fall for Esther.

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