Former Labour minister and crossbench peer Frank Field has died aged 81, his family has announced.

The former Minister for Welfare Reform served as an MP for 40 years from 1979 to 2019.

In 2018, Field resigned the Labour whip, citing antisemitism in the party.

A statement from Lord Field of Birkenhead’s family, issued by his Parliamentary office, said: "Frank Field (Rt Hon Lord Field of Birkenhead, CH) has died at the age of 81 following a period of illness.

Field was seen as a controversial figure in the Labour Party

The statement continued: "Frank was director of the Child Poverty Action Group between 1969 and 1979, and the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead between 1979 and 2019.

"During that time, he served as a Minister for Welfare Reform and led the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances. He also chaired the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee (and its predecessor Committee on Social Services and Social Security) as well as the Joint Committee on the Draft Modern Slavery Bill.

"In 2020, Frank entered the House of Lords as the Rt Hon the Lord Field of Birkenhead, was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2022 New Year Honours and continued to serve on the boards of Cool Earth, Feeding Britain and the Frank Field Education Trust.

"Frank is survived by two brothers."

Frank Field speaks in the House of Commons during a debate in 2017