Rachel became active in politics during her time at secondary school, inspired by education cut-backs. She secured a place at Oxford University to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics and later gained an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Rachel worked as an Economist and remained a committed Labour Party member and activist before choosing to stand as a candidate for the Leeds West parliamentary seat, following sitting MP John Battle announcing his intention to retire in 2010.
Rachel was elected as the Member of Parliament for Leeds West at the May 2010 General Election. When elected in 2010, she was the first female MP to represent a seat in Leeds since Alice Bacon, who served between 1945 and 1970. She was re-elected at the 2015 election with an increased majority.
Rachel was promoted to Shadow Pensions Minister in October 2010 and served in this role until October 2011, when she was promoted to Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Following the Shadow Cabinet re-shuffle in October 2013, Rachel became Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.