Ministerial role

Secretary of State for Defence

Contents

Responsibilities

The Secretary of State for Defence has overall responsibility for the business of the department including:

  • strategic operations and operational strategy, including membership of the National Security Council
  • defence planning, programme and resource allocation
  • strategic international partnerships: US, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, NATO
  • nuclear operations, policy and organisations
  • strategic communications

Current role holder: The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP

The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP was appointed Secretary of State for Defence on 2 November 2017. He was Chief Whip (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury) from 14 July 2016 to 2 November 2017.

He was elected Conservative MP for South Staffordshire in May 2010.

More about this person

Previous holders of this role

  1. The Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP

    • 2014 to 2017

  2. The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP

    • 2011 to 2014

  3. The Rt Hon Liam Fox MP

    • 2010 to 2011

Announcements

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  1. Update: air strikes against Daesh

    • News story

  2. Defence Secretary to launch report warning of future threats to UK

    • News story

  3. Team UK heads to Sydney for the Invictus Games 2018

    • News story

  4. Defence launches new strategy to boost diversity and inclusion

    • News story

  5. IWT conference 2018: new funding for counter-poaching training in Africa

    • Press release

  6. UK troops deploy on largest NATO exercise in a decade

    • News story

  7. Defence Secretary announces Devonport will home all new Type 26 frigates

    • News story

  8. UK deepens defence cooperation with Germany

    • Press release

  9. UK aid arrives: Vital relief lands in Indonesia

    • News story

  10. UK to send transport aircraft to provide relief to Indonesia

    • News story
View all announcements