She later set up a training company and worked as a director in the marketing and financial services sector.

She started part-time consultancy work when she became the prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for Solihull.

Following her election, Burt became a Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Northern Ireland, an Opposition Whip, and served on the Treasury Select Committee.

Following the election of Sir Menzies Campbell to the leadership of the party in 2006, Burt became the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Small Business and Women and Equality.

[14] Burt is married to Richard, who himself has been a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate several times, and has a daughter and a stepson.

She is an honorary associate of the National Secular Society[15] and a Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group.