Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, also referred to as the Health Secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for the work of the Department of Health and Social Care. The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom
Secretary of State
for Health and Social Care
Incumbent
Victoria Atkins
since 13 November 2023
Department of Health and Social Care
StyleHealth 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
  • 14 October 1854:
    (as President of the Board of Health)
  • 8 January 2018:
    (as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
First holderBenjamin Hall
(as President of the Board of Health)
Salary£159,038 per annum (2022)
(including £86,584 MP salary)
Websitewww.gov.uk/government/ministers/secretary-of-state-for-health-and-social-care

The position can trace its roots back to the nineteenth century, and has been a secretary of state position since 1968. For 30 years, from 1988 to 2018, the position was titled Secretary of State for Health, before Prime Minister Theresa May added "and Social Care" to the designation in the 2018 British cabinet reshuffle.

The office holder works alongside the other health and social care ministers. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for health and social care, and the secretary of state is also scrutinised by the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

The position is currently held by Victoria Atkins since 13 November 2023.

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