Secretary of State for Education

United Kingdom
Secretary of State for Education
since 5 July 2024
Department for Education
StyleEducation Secretary
(informal)
The Right Honourable
(within the UK and Commonwealth)
TypeMinister of the Crown
StatusSecretary of State
Member of
Reports toThe Prime Minister
SeatWestminster
NominatorThe Prime Minister
AppointerThe Monarch
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term lengthAt His Majesty's Pleasure
Formation
  • 5 February 1857
    (as Vice-President of the Committee of the Council on Education)
  • 12 May 2010:
    (as Secretary of State for Education)
First holderWilliam Cowper-Temple
(as Vice-President of the Committee of the Council on Education)
Salary£159,038 per annum (2022)
(including £86,584 MP salary)
Websitegov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

The secretary of state for education, also referred to as the education secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the work of the Department for Education. The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. As education is fully devolved to the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive, the post holder has no jurisdiction or influence in education policy or direction in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Therefore, the Cabinet Secretary for Education legislates on education matters only in England.

The office holder works alongside the other Education ministers. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for education, and the work of the secretary of state is also scrutinised by the Education Select Committee.

The current education secretary is Bridget Phillipson.