Secretary of State for Defence
Responsibilities
The Secretary of State for Defence has overall responsibility for the business of the department.
Responsibilities include:
- strategic policy and operational oversight including as a member of the National Security Council
- nuclear deterrent (CASD) and operations policy and enterprise
- strategic overview of the Strategic Defence Review Implementation and Defence Investment Plan
- Defence budget
- Euro-Atlantic strategy and planning
- Defence strategy, planning, programme, and resource allocation
- relationships with strategic international partners: US, France, Germany, Australia, Ukraine
- One Defence Reform Programme
- oversight of Veterans
- Service Personnel deaths on duty and letters of condolence
- strategic multilateral programmes – AUKUS and GCAP
- regulatory functions
- Independent Afghan Inquiry
Current role holder
The Rt Hon John Healey MP
John Healey was appointed Secretary of State for Defence on 5 July 2024. He was elected as the MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough in July 2024.
He was Shadow Housing Secretary from 2015 to 2020 and Shadow Health Secretary from 2010-2011. During Labour’s time in Government, John was PPS to the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1999-2001 and a Minister from 2001-2010, serving successively as Adult Skills Minister, Treasury Minister, Local Government Minister and Housing Minister.
Before entering Parliament, John was Campaigns Director at the Trades Union Congress and a disability rights campaigner.
John is married with one son and lives in Rotherham.
Previous holders of this role
The Rt Hon Grant Shapps
2023 to 2024
The Rt Hon Ben Wallace
2019 to 2023
The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt
2019 to 2019
The Rt Hon Sir Gavin Williamson CBE MP
2017 to 2019
The Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon
2014 to 2017
The Rt Hon Philip Hammond
2011 to 2014
The Rt Hon Liam Fox
2010 to 2011