Ministerial role

Minister of State (Minister for Skills)

Organisations: Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions
Current role holder: The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern

Responsibilities

  • Skills England 

  • Support for young people not in employment, education or training, including pre-19 careers 

  • Youth Guarantee 

  • Apprenticeships including the growth and skills levy 

  • Skills-related In Work Progression 

  • Other (Department for Education) (DfE) responsibilities and Department for Education (DfE) representation in the House of Lords 

  • Responsibilities related to the Minister’s role as Minister for Women and Equalities

Current role holder

The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern

The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Skills) in the Department for Education on 6 July 2024. This role also became part of the Department for Work and Pensions on 6 September 2025.

Since 4 March 2025 Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern serves as a Minister for Women and Equalities.

She previously served as a Government spokesperson for Equalities between 8 October 2024 and 4 March 2025.

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