Guy Opperman

Opperman was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, on 18 May 1965.{{citation |chapter-url= http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U251456/ |chapter=Guy Opperman |title=Who's Who |publisher=A & C Black |chapter-url-access=subscription |title-link=Who's Who (UK)}} He was educated at Harrow School, an independent all-boys boarding school. Opperman has a degree in law from the University of Buckingham and a first-class diploma from the University of Lille, in France.{{cite web |url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Opperman_Guy.aspx |title=Guy Opperman |work=Conservative Party Profile |publisher=Conservative Party |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-date=18 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518120116/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Opperman_Guy.aspx |url-status=dead }}

Opperman was called to the bar in 1989. He spent 20 years as a barrister of which 15 years were spent predominantly at the criminal bar. Opperman prosecuted and defended in a number of murder and rape trials.{{cite web|title=Guy Opperman MP|url=https://www.respublica.org.uk/our-people/contributors/guy-opperman-mp/|website=ResPublica|date=17 November 2014 |access-date=6 May 2020}}

While a barrister, he did many years of pro bono work with the Western Circuit Free Representation Unit and the Bar Pro Bono Unit, providing free legal assistance in hundreds of cases on behalf of Victim Support and Citizens Advice Bureau. The Times named him "Lawyer of the Week" in 2007 and was awarded the Bar Pro Bono Award by the attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, for his voluntary work on behalf of victims in Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals.{{cite news|last=Tsang|first=Linda|title=Lawyer of the Week: Guy Opperman|newspaper=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/lawyer-of-the-week-guy-opperman-03zn3pw0zc6|access-date=6 May 2020|issn=0140-0460}} In 2009, the attorney general, Baroness Scotland, presented him with a Pro Bono Hero award in the House of Commons for his work on preventing hospital closures.{{cite web|title=About Guy|url=https://www.guyopperman.co.uk/about-guy|website=Guy Opperman|access-date=6 May 2020}} He is now a "door tenant" at 3PB and is no longer in active practice at the Bar having committed to being a full-time Member of Parliament.{{cite web |url=http://www.3paper.co.uk/profile/guy-opperman |title=Guy Opperman |work=Members |publisher=3PB Barristers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131020927/http://www.3paper.co.uk/profile/guy-opperman |archive-date=31 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Opperman previously stood for election to Parliament in Swindon North at the 1997 general election and for Caernarfon at the 2005 general election. He was a councillor in Kennet from 1995 to 1999.{{cite news|url=http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Hexham/Guy+Opperman |title=Guy Opperman |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511194717/http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Hexham/Guy+Opperman |archive-date=11 May 2010 }}

Opperman led a legal campaign to oppose the closure of the NHS's Savernake Hospital at Marlborough which he credited with saving his mother's life from cancer.{{cite web|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2008/880.html|title=The Queen on the application of Val Compton v Wiltshire Primary Care Trust|work=England and Wales High Court (Administrative Court) Decisions|publisher=BAILII|date=22 April 2008|access-date=8 May 2015}}

Opperman was elected at the 2010 general election as MP for Hexham in Northumberland.{{cite news |url=http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/opperman-wins-for-tories-1.705670?referrerPath=/1.257779 |title=Election 2010: Hexham Results |newspaper=Hexham Courant |publisher=CN Group |access-date=7 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229231345/http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/opperman-wins-for-tories-1.705670?referrerPath=%2F1.257779 |archive-date=29 February 2012 }} He was one of the first MPs in the United Kingdom to employ an apprentice.{{cite news|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/02/09/jade-the-mp-s-apprentice-steps-up-the-career-ladder-61634-30295211|title=Prudhoe teenager Jade gets apprenticeship with MP|newspaper=The Journal|publisher=Trinity Mirror|date=9 February 2012|access-date=8 May 2015}}

In September 2012 Opperman was appointed as Private Parliamentary Secretary (PPS) to Mark Harper, the immigration minister at the Home Office.{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2012-09-12/full-list-of-conservative-parliamentary-aides|title=Full list of Conservative ministerial aides revealed|publisher=ITV|date=12 September 2012|access-date=8 May 2015}}

Opperman has previously described himself as "rather on the left" of the Conservative Party and has previously opposed regional pay but supported the Living wage, regional banks, and industrial activism. He called for his party to do more to show it supports "the hardworking people in our public sector". In 2012, the New Statesman magazine summarised his positions on low wages, corporate responsibility, and apprenticeships in an article called "Meet the Tories the left should be frightened of".{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/politics/2012/10/meet-tories-left-should-be-frightened|last=Davis|first=Rowenna|title=Meet the Tories the left should be frightened of|publisher=New Statesman |date=9 October 2012|access-date=8 May 2015}}

In 2015, Opperman was named by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) for an outstanding £161 in expenses due back. However, the IPSA subsequently apologised due to an error, stating; We have failed you and the public in a letter to Opperman.{{cite web|title=Hexham MP accused of owing taxpayers £161 says watchdog got its facts wrong|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-accused-owing-taxpayers-10030615|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=11 September 2015|website=nechronicle|access-date=5 May 2020}}

In 2016, for the sixth successive year Opperman coordinated the collection of more than 300 toys for disadvantaged children in north east England as part of the Northumberland Conservatives' Christmas appeal, "Buy One More Toy".{{cite web|title=Hexham's MP launches Christmas toy appeal|url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/16620026.hexhams-mp-launches-christmas-toy-appeal/|website=Hexham Courant|date=26 October 2016 |access-date=6 May 2020}}

Opperman was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions on 14 June 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/guy-opperman|title=Guy Opperman MP|access-date=6 July 2017}} Footage from 2013 was uncovered showing him stating that he understood what it was like to live on a zero-hours contract because he once worked as a £250-per-hour barrister.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/tory-dwp-minister-zero-hours-contract-guy-opperman-barrister-250-hour-gig-economy-work-pensions-a7793241.html|title=Tory minister says he understands life on zero-hours contracts because he used to be £250-an-hour barrister|last=Chapman|first=Ben|work=The Independent|date=16 June 2017|access-date=6 July 2017}} Weeks later, in response to the group Women Against State Pension Inequality, he was quoted as saying that older women who face cuts to their state pension could take up apprenticeships as a route to re-employment.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jul/05/women-hit-by-pension-age-change-can-take-up-apprenticeships|title=Minister suggests women hit by pension age change 'take up apprenticeships'|last=Syal|first=Rajeev|work=The Guardian|date=5 July 2017|access-date=6 July 2017}}

Opperman displeased audience members in October 2017 when he pulled out of a pensions fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference in an apparent attempt to avoid a nearby protest staged by Women Against State Pension Inequality.{{cite web|url=http://citywire.co.uk/new-model-adviser/news/pensions-minister-dodges-womens-event-amid-waspi-protests/a1055658|title=Pensions minister dodges women's event amid Waspi protests|last=Gilbert|first=Jack|work=Citywire|date=4 October 2017|access-date=5 October 2017}}

At a hustings event for the 2019 election, Opperman was asked how people using food banks could be helped. He said the Conservatives would raise the minimum wage and the tax threshold. He also suggested that people "must get better at handling money".{{cite web|url= https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tory-general-election-candidate-claims-17335882|title=Tory general election candidate claims food bank users need to 'get better at handling money|date=29 November 2019|access-date=15 January 2020}}{{cite web|url= https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/18064217.poorer-families-using-food-banks-must-handle-money-better/|title=To help ease continuous food bank use "we must get better at handling money"|date=29 November 2019|access-date=15 January 2020}}

Opperman endorsed Rishi Sunak in both the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election and the October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.{{cite news|last=Langdon|first=Georgia|date=22 July 2022|title=MP Guy Opperman backs Rishi Sunak for PM|url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/20297108.hexham-ponteland-mp-guy-opperman-backs-rishi-sunak-prime-minister-conservative-leader/|website=Hexham Courant}}{{cite news|last=Teasdale|first=Samantha|date=21 October 2022|title=Hexham MP Guy Opperman reveals who he backs for next PM|url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/23067131.hexham-mp-guy-opperman-reveals-backs-next-pm/|website=Hexham Courant}}

Opperman served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions from June 2017 to September 2022. His brief included pensions and financial inclusion.

In October 2019, as Pensions Minister Opperman introduced new Environmental, Social and Governance regulations (ESG).{{cite news|last=Opperman|first=Guy|date=7 July 2020|title=Climate change could be the greatest commercial opportunity of our time|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/climate-change-could-greatest-commercial-opportunity-time/|access-date=14 September 2020|issn=0307-1235}} These required a pension fund to update its statement of investment principles and broadly take into account ESG factors when considering its strategic approach to investment. In an article written for The Times, Opperman argued that, "Pensions should be harnessed to fight the climate emergency".{{cite news|last=Opperman|first=Guy|title=Pensions should be harnessed to fight the climate emergency|newspaper=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/pensions-should-be-green-and-ethical-to-encourage-the-young-to-save-r7pdfrsn2|access-date=14 September 2020|issn=0140-0460}}

In a speech at the Pensions & Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) investment conference in March 2020, Opperman announced the public consultation on new non-statutory guidance for trustees of occupational pensions schemes on the risks and opportunities associated with climate change.{{cite web|title=TPR statement on climate risk guide consultation|url=https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/media-hub/press-releases/2020-press-releases/tpr-statement-on-climate-risk-guide-consultation|access-date=14 September 2020|website=The Pensions Regulator}}{{cite web|last=Rust|first=Susanna|title=Opperman sets out TCFD and DC consolidation, fee consultation plans|url=https://www.ipe.com/news/opperman-sets-out-tcfd-and-dc-consolidation-fee-consultation-plans/10044291.article|access-date=14 September 2020|website=IPE}}

In October 2020, the Pensions Schemes Bill returned to the House of Commons for Second Reading.{{cite web|title=Guy Opperman: We are making your pension safer, better and greener. Here's how.|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2020/10/guy-opperman-we-are-making-your-pension-safer-better-and-greener-heres-how.html|access-date=18 December 2020|website=Conservative Home|date=7 October 2020 }} Opperman said the Pension Schemes Bill will make pensions "safer, better and greener".{{cite web|last=Opperman|first=Guy|date=18 December 2020|title=Hansard|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-11-16/debates/298AA028-D49E-4F07-A001-C483ADF38659/PensionSchemesBill(Lords)highlight=safer+better+greener#contribution-9CDD1785-2963-413C-B361-833E33BD94C9|access-date=|website=Hansard}} The Bill seeks to make pensions safer by giving the pension regulator more powers to tackle pension scams, better by introducing a pension dashboard and greener by going further on climate change disclosure.{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Rebekah|date=7 October 2020|title=Pension warning: Government poised to crack down on scams through new transfer proposals|url=https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1344965/pension-scams-government-pension-schemes-bill-house-of-commons-debate-UK-news|access-date=18 December 2020|website=Express.co.uk}}{{cite news|last=Opperman|first=Guy|title=Guy Opperman: We want pensions to go green — but I won't force them to ditch big oil|newspaper=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/money/article/guy-opperman-we-want-pensions-to-go-green-but-i-wont-force-them-to-ditch-big-oil-rk9h68x7q|access-date=18 December 2020|issn=0140-0460}}{{cite web|date=4 December 2020|title=Guy Opperman: Dashboards and consolidation go hand-in-hand|url=https://www.professionalpensions.com/opinion/4024501/guy-opperman-dashboards-consolidation-hand-hand|access-date=18 December 2020|website=www.professionalpensions.com}} In November 2020, the Bill passed the House of Commons at Third Reading and Report Stage.{{cite web|title=Pension Schemes Bill [HL] 2019–21 — UK Parliament|url=https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/pensionschemes.html|access-date=18 December 2020|website=services.parliament.uk}}

On 10 June 2022, Opperman overtook Steve Webb to become the longest-serving pensions minister since the post was created in 1998.{{cite news |last1=Stapleton |first1=Jonathan |title=Guy Opperman to overtake Steve Webb as longest serving pensions minister |url=https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/4051040/guy-opperman-overtake-steve-webb-serving-pensions-minister |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=professionalpensions.com |date=10 June 2022}}

On 7 July 2022, Opperman resigned as pensions minister, making his resignation the 52nd in the July 2022 United Kingdom government crisis.{{cite news |last1=Dugan |first1=Emily |title=Government crisis: more ministers resign from cabinet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/07/northern-ireland-secretary-brandon-lewis-resigns-from-cabinet |access-date=7 July 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=7 July 2022 }} He was re-appointed to the position on 8 July.{{cite web |last1=Blows |first1=Laura |title=Guy Opperman announces return to DWP |url=https://www.pensionsage.com/pa/Guy-Opperman-reappointed-as-Pensions-Minister.php |website=Pensions Age Magazine |access-date=9 July 2022 }} Opperman would then leave his position once again on 8 September 2022, following the election of Liz Truss. Opperman was succeeded by Alex Burghart on 20 September 2022.{{cite web |title=Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Pensions and Growth) – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/parliamentary-under-secretary-of-state--186 |access-date=31 October 2022 |website=www.gov.uk }}

Opperman was appointed Minister of State for Employment by Rishi Sunak on 26 October 2022. In doing so, succeeded Victoria Prentis who held the role for just 48 days.{{cite web |title=Minister of State (Minister for Work and Welfare) – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state--116 |access-date=31 October 2022 |website=www.gov.uk }} In a statement on Twitter, Opperman said he was "delighted" to be back in the Department for Work and Pensions and that he was looking forward to working with Mel Stride, the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.{{cite web |last=Hickey |first=Sally |date=28 October 2022 |title=Opperman returns to DWP |url=https://www.ftadviser.com/pensions/2022/10/28/opperman-returns-to-dwp/ |access-date=31 October 2022 |website=FT adviser}}

In November 2022, Opperman launched the 50 plus champions campaign to tackle economic inactivity and unemployment within the UK workforce.{{cite web |title=DWP launches new jobs push to get more over-50s back into work |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsbirmingham/dwp-launches-new-jobs-push-to-get-more-over-50s-back-into-work/ar-AA14pr8V |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=MSN }} In this campaign, he targeted over 50s who were out of work by creating more jobs and changing employer attitudes towards over 50 workers. Opperman stated: "Older workers are a huge asset to our country and our economy. I want to support them to get into work. An age-inclusive workforce makes business sense too. Our 50 PLUS Champions will work with leading employers across the country to connect job-ready people with the vast number of opportunities out there."{{cite web |title=DWP launches new jobs push to get more over-50s back into work |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsbirmingham/dwp-launches-new-jobs-push-to-get-more-over-50s-back-into-work/ar-AA14pr8V |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=MSN }}

On 6 December 2022 Opperman appeared on the BBC panel show Question Time hosted by Fiona Bruce. In the programme, Opperman urged everyone to "boycott Netflix" in response to the first release of Prince Harry's and Meghan Markle's widely criticised documentary: Harry and Meghan.{{cite news |date=8 December 2022 |title=Harry and Meghan utterly irrelevant, says minister Guy Opperman |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-63908241 |access-date=15 December 2022}} However, a Downing Street spokesperson, following the comment, stated that “it’s a matter for the public what channels they want to watch” and dismissed this attempted protest.{{cite web |title=No 10 dismisses minister's call for Netflix 'boycott' over Harry and Meghan show |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/no-10-dismisses-minister-s-call-for-netflix-boycott-over-harry-and-meghan-show/ar-AA155gg5 |access-date=15 December 2022 |website=MSN }}

In the November 2023 British cabinet reshuffle, Opperman was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport.

Opperman supports the right to choose and does not support any changes to the present law.{{cite web|title=Campaigns and EDMs|url=https://www.guyopperman.co.uk/campaigns-and-edms|access-date=14 September 2020|website=Guy Opperman}}

Opperman has spoken in favour of changing the law on assisted dying and spoke of his anger in 2015 at the defeat of the Assisted Dying Bill. He argued that: "This Bill does not threaten the lives of vulnerable people. It will not lead to more deaths, but to less suffering".{{cite web|title=MP's anger at defeat of 'assisted dying' Bill|url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/16626219.mps-anger-at-defeat-of-assisted-dying-bill/|access-date=14 September 2020|website=Hexham Courant|date=17 September 2015 }}

Guy Opperman generally voted against measures to prevent climate change.{{cite web |title=Guy Opperman MP, Hexham |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24962/guy_opperman/hexham/divisions?policy=1030 |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=TheyWorkForYou }} He voted against a motion that would have forced a vote on a bill to ban fracking in October 2022.{{cite web |title=How did Guy Opperman MP vote in the fracking Vote? |url=https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/23065936.guy-opperman-mp-vote-fracking-vote/ |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=Hexham Courant |date=20 October 2022 }}

Opperman led the campaign opposing Whittonstall and Halton Lea Gate's open cast coal mines in his constituency. He was also strongly opposed to the plans of a new open cast mine at Dewley Hill, describing the plans as a "climate change disaster waiting to happen".{{cite web|last=Graham|first=Hannah|date=17 April 2019|title=MP demands end to opencast mine plans for Newcastle outskirts|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/dewley-hill-throckley-opencast-mine-16140286|access-date=14 September 2020|website=ChronicleLive}}

Since being elected in 2010, Opperman campaigned against payday lenders. He came together with a group of Northumbrian locals and church leaders to set up the Northumberland Community Bank.{{cite web|last=Thick|first=Kate|date=22 November 2015|title=The Northumberland-based community bank that is the antidote to the careless giants|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/news-opinion/northumberland-based-community-bank-antidote-10483007|access-date=14 September 2020|website=ChronicleLive}}{{cite web|last=Tighe|first=Chris|date=6 November 2015|title=Tynedale Community Bank seeks to challenge big lenders|url=https://www.ft.com/content/2191f524-8481-11e5-8095-ed1a37d1e096|access-date=14 September 2020|website=www.ft.com}} The bank was launched in 2015 by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.{{cite web|title=Archbishop of York opens Northumberland community bank|url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update/2015-11-06/archbishop-of-york-opens-northumberland-community-bank/|access-date=14 September 2020|website=ITV News}} The community bank is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, offers secure savings and loan facilities as an alternative to high cost credit – with any surplus being used to enable and grow services in Northumberland.{{cite web|title=Northumberland Community Bank for Loans, Savings & Payroll|url=https://www.northumberlandcommunitybank.co.uk/|access-date=14 September 2020|website=Northumberland Community Bank}}

Opperman campaigned and introduced a motion in the House of Commons calling for a review in the fuel duty paid by the Great North Air Ambulance Service.{{cite web|last=Lognonne|first=Ruth|date=6 April 2014|title=Boost for Great North Air Ambulance as fuel duty scrapped after campaign|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/boost-great-north-air-ambulance-6925283|access-date=17 December 2020|website=ChronicleLive}} This resulted in the Government exempting emergency services from aviation fuel duty in the 2014 Budget. The measure saved the Great North Air Ambulance up to £25,000 per year. In 2012, Opperman walked from Sheffield to Scotland and raised £2,079 for the Great North Air Ambulance service.{{cite web|title=Guy's page|url=https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/guygnaa|access-date=17 December 2020|website=JustGiving}}

On 8 August 2013, Opperman declared his support for the Living Wage in an article for the New Statesman.{{cite web|last=Opperman|first=Guy|date=13 August 2013|title=Guy Opperman: the Conservative case for a living wage|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/08/guy-opperman-conservative-case-living-wage|access-date=8 May 2015|publisher=New Statesman}} In this article he asked: "How and why did we let it become acceptable for a full-time job not to pay enough to live on?".

Opperman campaigned for, spoke in favour, and voted for the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act in 2013. During the debate, he described the UK as being on a "journey".{{cite web|title=Gay marriage: MPs vote in favour of same-sex weddings: as it happened|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9849573/Gay-marriage-MPs-vote-in-favour-of-same-sex-weddings-as-it-happened.html|access-date=14 September 2020|website=The Telegraph|date=5 February 2013 }}{{cite web|title=Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Hansard|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2013-02-05/debates/13020551000002/Marriage(SameSexCouples)Bill|access-date=14 September 2020|website=hansard.parliament.uk}}

Opperman later voted for an amendment supporting same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.{{cite web|title=Guy Opperman MP, Hexham|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24962/guy_opperman/hexham/divisions?policy=826|access-date=14 September 2020|website=TheyWorkForYou}}

In 2014, Opperman travelled to Syria, to see the impact of humanitarian aid in refugee camps on the Turkey–Syria border. He called for action for further support to children in refugee camps. Subsequently, Opperman held a specific debate in Parliament on the plight of Syria Refugees and UN Resolution 2139 relating to the provision of aid in Syria itself.{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=10 May 2016|title=Hexham MP defends Government position on letting child refugees into the UK|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-defends-government-position-11306800|access-date=14 September 2020|website=ChronicleLive}}{{cite web|title=Syrian Refugees (Support and Aid) – Hansard|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2014-04-29/debates/14042950000001/SyrianRefugees(SupportAndAid)|access-date=14 September 2020|website=hansard.parliament.uk}}

Opperman is a supporter of the Union and "passionately" campaigned for Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=13 September 2014|title=Hexham MP Guy Opperman in plea to England: Go to Scotland and campaign!|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-plea-7760814|access-date=14 September 2020|website=ChronicleLive}}

In October 2012, Opperman had his first book published, Doing Time, an examination of the prison service and offender rehabilitation in the United Kingdom. In it he offers a consideration of re-offending, prisoner training, drug rehabilitation, prison management and payment by results in the prison system.{{cite book |last=Opperman |first=Guy |title=Doing Time – Prisons in the 21st Century |location=Surbiton |publisher=Bretwalda Books |isbn=978-1909099036 |url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-Time-Prisons-Century-ebook/dp/B009OOWQ8W |date=October 2012 }}

Opperman is a member of the Advisory Board of the High Pay Centre and has co-authored an essay with Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and Trades Union Congress General Secretary Frances O'Grady entitled "Better Business: Moral Matters". In the essay he contrasts community-focussed businesses in his Northumberland seat with the lack of responsibility demonstrated by the banking sector.{{cite web |url= http://www.highpaycentre.org/pubs/better-business-morals-matter-a-collection-of-essays-about-business-ethics |title=Better Business: Morals Matter – A collection of essays about business ethics |date=4 September 2012 |publisher=High Pay Centre }}

Opperman co-authored the report "All Hands on Deck" with Laura Farris for the Centre for Policy Studies in November 2018. The report details how businesses and employers can do more to close Britain's productivity gap by increasing flexible working.{{cite web|title=All Hands on Deck|url=http://www.cps.org.uk/research/all-hands-on-deck|access-date=14 September 2020|website=www.cps.org.uk}}

In February 2020, Opperman launched a podcast, Beyond the Bubble.{{cite web|title=Beyond the Bubble|url=https://www.beyondthebubble.uk/|website=Beyond the Bubble|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-date=9 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709184640/https://www.beyondthebubble.uk/|url-status=dead}} The podcast aims to look at politics from outside the traditional "Westminster Bubble", by talking to MPs and key figures. Guests have included new Conservative MPs Dehenna Davison, Sarah Atherton and Jacob Young, as well as comedian and former Labour advisor Matt Forde.{{cite web|title=Listen Now|url=https://www.beyondthebubble.uk/listen|website=Beyond the Bubble|access-date=5 May 2020}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Opperman was a director of his family's engineering business until 2009.{{cite web|title=Guy Opperman MP|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/guy-opperman|website=GOV.UK|access-date=6 May 2020}} On 2 June 2017, during his general election campaign, he married his partner of four years, Flora Coleman, who is 20 years his junior.{{cite news|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/would-hexham-mp-swaps-honeymoon-13144758|title=Would-be MP swaps honeymoon for the campaign trail after wedding clash|last=Walker|first=Jonathan|date=6 June 2017|work=nechronicle|access-date=10 June 2017}} In June 2020, the couple had twin boys, who died shortly after birth.{{cite news|date=1 July 2020|title=MP 'devastated' at death of newborn twin sons|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-53248277|access-date=2 July 2020}}

Opperman is an amateur jockey and rode his first winner in 1985. He continues to ride and has won a number of point-to-point horse races, including at Downhills, Corbridge, just after his selection as the Conservative Party Candidate for Hexham in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/tynedale-point-to-point.html|title=Tyndale Point to Point|date=1 March 2009|publisher=Blogspot}}

Opperman has raised almost £10,000 for charity including over £4,000 in 2011 for the National Brain Appeal at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery which he credits with saving his life after suffering from a brain tumour.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalbrainappeal.org/guy-opperman-mp/|title=Guy Opperman MP|publisher=The National Brain Appeal|work=Our Heroes}} He and Labour MP Paul Blomfield, who also had a brain tumour in 2011, walked the first section of the Pennine Way in 2012 to raise money for Headway UK. In 2012, Opperman walked 280 miles from Sheffield to Scotland raising £2,500 for the Great North Air Ambulance.{{cite web|url=http://www.justgiving.com/GuyGNAA|title=Guy's Page|date=27 July 2012|publisher=Just Giving}} In 2016, Opperman was shown to be tumour free in a scan 5 years since his original diagnosis.{{cite web|title=North East MP opens up about brain tumour battle|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/i-am-very-lucky-north-12383082|last=Muncaster|first=Michael|date=30 December 2016|website=nechronicle|access-date=5 May 2020}}

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• [http://www.guyopperman.co.uk/ Official website]
• {{cite web |url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Opperman_Guy.aspx |title=Guy Opperman |work=Conservative Party Profile |publisher=Conservative Party |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-date=18 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518120116/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Opperman_Guy.aspx |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite web |url= http://www.3paper.co.uk/profile/guy-opperman |title=Guy Opperman |work=Members |publisher=3PB Barristers }}
• [http://www.hexhamconservatives.co.uk/ Hexham Conservative Association]
• {{UK MP links |parliament=guy-opperman/4142 |hansard= |hansardcurr= |guardian=9160/guy-opperman |publicwhip=Guy_Opperman |theywork=guy_opperman/hexham |record=Guy-Opperman/Hexham/1059 |bbc= 41334.stm |journalisted=}}

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