Vernon Coaker
UK peer and Ministry of Defence minister responsible for House of Lords business.
Vernon Coaker entered The House of Lords in 2021 after a career in teaching and the Commons. His ministerial experience covers defence, policing and education.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Vernon Coaker
Approved the business case and released £84m
UK Startups and Innovation: Plymouth gets an £84m defence growth dealBackground
Vernon Coaker, known in Parliament as Lord Coaker, is a British peer with a career spanning education, policing and defence policy. Before entering Parliament in 1997, he worked as a teacher. He studied politics at the University of Warwick and obtained his teaching qualification at Trent Polytechnic. [Government biography](https://www.GOV.UK/government/people/lord-coaker)
Coaker served as a minister for policing, crime and security, then for schools and learning. In opposition he held the shadow defence and Northern Ireland briefs. He became a life peer in 2021 and joined the Ministry of Defence as a minister in July 2024. His defence responsibilities include international relations and parliamentary business in The House of Lords. This combines departmental work with representing the ministry in the Upper Chamber. [Biography and responsibilities](https://www.GOV.UK/government/people/lord-coaker)
Who is Vernon Coaker?
What government funding did Lord Coaker confirm for Plymouth?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.