Field was first elected as an MP for Birkenhead in 1979 and served as an MP for 40 years, one of the longest-serving MPs, before being made a peer in the House of Lords.
Field was a minister for welfare reform under Tony Blair and later chair of the work and pensions select committee.
He was director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) from 1969 until 1979.
The charity’s chief executive Alison Garnham said, ‘Frank was a steadfast, highly successful and diligent campaigner against child poverty. It is largely down to Frank that we have child benefit today – a truly towering achievement.
‘He gained support and respect from across the political spectrum and defined the concept of the ‘poverty trap’– now commonly used to describe the difficulties for working people of getting better off while claiming means-tested benefits because of the high rate at which benefits are withdrawn as earnings rise.
‘As CPAG director, Frank also helped pave the way for the minimum wage, free school meals and rent allowances for low-income families, all fundamental social protections. Frank was a true champion for children and low-income families and with child poverty at a record high today, families need his like as never before. He will be greatly missed. Our deep sympathy and condolences to those closest to him.’
Field led an independent review into poverty and life chances in 2010. In 2013 he wrote to the then prime minister David Cameron about his concerns that food banks were becoming 'an institutional part of our welfare state.'
He called on him to launch a public inquiry to help build an effective anti-poverty strategy for families and helped set up the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Hunger.
Former children’s commissioner and executive chair and founder of the Centre for Young Lives Anne Longfield said it had been ‘a privilege’ to work with him.
‘So sad to hear about the death of Frank Field. An inspirational campaigner, he cared deeply about the blight of poverty & was relentless in his fight against it. He knew kids have the best chance if they go to school ready.’
Parliamentarians across the political divide united in paying tribute Lord Field. Former Conservative MP Heidi Allen, who served with Field on the APPG on Hunger, said, ‘My dear lovely Frank and I developed such an unexpected and deep friendship - the veteran Labour MP and me, the rookie Tory. But we shared the same passion for reducing poverty. I shall miss him so very much x.’
Field was a founder of the charity Feeding Britain, which grew out of a scheme he set up in his constituency of Birkenhead, one of the country's poorest towns. It brings together food banks, churches and community groups to help eliminate hunger among local families.
The charity is now nationwide and provides 100,000 children with meals and activities during the school holidays.
Field continued to be a trustee of Feeding Britain during his last illness, where Allen is also a trustee.
A statement issued by his family on Wednesday said, ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Frank Field, Lord Field of Birkenhead. Through a long battle with cancer, Frank Field remained resilient and engaged with life until the end. He will be enormously missed by his family and wide circle of friends.
‘Frank was an extraordinary individual who spent his life fighting poverty, injustice and environmental destruction. His decency and faith in people's self-interested altruism made a unique contribution to British politics. After forty years of dedicated public service, Frank will be mourned by admirers across the political divide. But above all, he will be deeply missed by those lucky enough to have enjoyed his laughter and friendship.’
Field was born in London in 1942 and studied economics at the University of Hull.
He resigned the Labour whip in 2018 over antisemitism in the party. He stood as an independent candidate in the 2019 general election, but came second. In 2020 he was made a non-affiliated crossbench peer. In 2022 he was made a member of the order of the companions of honour.
