Secretary of State for Health
The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
Biography
Jeremy Hunt was appointed Secretary of State for Health in September 2012. He
was elected as MP for South West Surrey in May 2005.
Education
Jeremy was educated at Oxford University.
Political career
In May 2010 Jeremy was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics,
Media and Sport. He was formerly Shadow Culture Secretary 2007 to 2010 and
Shadow Minister for Disabled People 2005 to 2007.
Career outside politics
Before his election as an MP, Jeremy ran his own educational publishing
business, Hotcourses. He also set up a charity to help AIDS orphans in Africa in
which he continues to play an active role.
Personal life
He lives in Farnham and London with his wife, son and daughter.
Secretary of State for Health
The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the work of the Department of
Health (DH).DH provides strategic leadership for public health, the NHS and
social care in England, focused around 5 key priorities:
older people
 mortality
 care
 dementia
 long-term conditions
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Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP
Biography
Iain Duncan Smith was appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in
May 2010. He has been the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green
since 1992.
Education
Iain was educated at Dunchurch College of Management, the Royal Military
Academy in Sandhurst and the Universita per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy.
Political career
Iain was Shadow Secretary of State for Social Security from 1997 to 1999 and
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence from 1999 to 2001. He was Leader of the
Opposition from 2001 to 2003.
Career outside politics
After serving in the Scots Guards, Iain worked for General Electric. In 2004, he
founded the Centre for Social Justice to help tackle poverty and remained
Chairman of the organisation until taking up the post of Secretary of State.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP).
DWP is responsible for the administration of the state pension and working age
benefits system, providing support to:
people of working age
 employers
 pensioners
 families and children
 disabled people
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Secretary of State for Education
The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
Biography
Michael Gove was appointed Secretary of State for Education in May 2010. He is
the Conservative MP for Surrey Heath.
Education
Michael was educated at Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen and Lady Margaret
Hall, Oxford University.
Political career
Michael was Shadow Minister for Housing from 2005 to 2007 and Shadow
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010.
Career outside politics
Michael became a journalist after leaving university, working as a reporter for The
Press and Journal in Aberdeen, a researcher and reporter at Scottish Television
and a reporter for BBC Television. He was later Assistant Editor of The Times.
Personal life
Michael is married with 2 children.
Secretary of State for Education
The Secretary of State is responsible for the work of the Department for
Education, including:
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early years
adoption and child protection
teachers’ pay
the school curriculum
school improvement
the establishment of academies and free schools
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and
President of the Board of Trade
The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP
Biography
Vince Cable was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in May 2010. He is the Liberal
Democrat MP for Twickenham.
Education
Vince was educated at Nunthorpe Grammar School, York and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied
natural science and economics and was President of the Union. He then studied for a PhD at Glasgow
University.
Political career
He served in the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet as Spokesman on Trade and Industry from 1999 to 2003,
and Shadow Chancellor from 2003 to 2010. He was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2006 to 2010.
Career outside politics
After graduating, Vince worked as Treasury Finance Officer for the Kenyan Government between 1966 and
1968. From 1968 to 1974 he lectured in economics at Glasgow University. He then worked in a range of senior
economic and foreign policy roles, before becoming Shell International’s Chief Economist in 1995.
Personal life
Vince is married and has 3 children by his late wife.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and
President of the Board of Trade
The Secretary of State is responsible for strategy and policy across the Department for Business, Innovation &
Skills (BIS). The department’s main policy areas are:
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business law
consumer issues
employment relations
enterprise and business support
trade policy
higher education
further education and skills
science
innovation
The Secretary of State also has the title of President of the Board of Trade, and:
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has overall responsibility for the BIS budget
focuses on business and banking issues
is the lead minister for reducing regulatory burdens across government