Minister of State for Universities and Science

The Rt Hon David Willetts MP

Contents

Biography

David Willetts was appointed Minister for Universities and Science in May 2010. He is the Conservative MP for Havant in Hampshire.

Education

David was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham and Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics.

Career in politics

David began his career in Parliament as the MP for Havant in 1992. He served as Paymaster General and then in the Shadow Cabinet in a range of roles, including Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Shadow Secretary for Education and Skills, and Shadow Secretary for Innovation, Universities and Skills. He has also worked at HM Treasury and in the Number 10 Policy Unit.

Career outside politics

David was a visiting fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, is a governor of the Ditchley Foundation and a member of the Council of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. He has written widely on economic and social policy. In 2011 he published a book, ‘The Pinch: How the baby boomers took their children’s future – and why they should give it back’.

Personal life

David is married to the artist Sarah Butterfield, with whom he has 2 children.

Department
for Business
Innovation & Skills

Minister of State for Universities and Science

The minister is responsible for universities and science in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Responsibilities include:

• higher education (including the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Student Loans Company)
• science and research (including research councils)
• life sciences
• innovation
• technology and the arts - National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA)
• UK Space Agency

More about this role

Policies

under the responsibility of The Rt Hon David Willetts MP as Minister of State for Universities and Science

1. Investing in research, development and innovation

   • 5 March 2013

2. Widening participation in higher education

   • 12 December 2012

3. Making the higher education system more efficient and diverse

   • 12 December 2012

4. Engaging the public in science and engineering

   • 12 December 2012

View all policies

Announcements

by The Rt Hon David Willetts MP

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1. Great Britain: the best place in the world to do science

   • 11 March 2014
   • Speech

2. £300 million investment to support growth and jobs in UK science

   • 11 March 2014
   • Press release

3. New Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council appointed

   • 14 February 2014
   • Press release

4. New plan will work to reduce use of animals in research

   • 7 February 2014
   • Press release

5. New board members for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

   • 6 February 2014
   • Press release

6. £73 million to improve access to data and drive innovation

   • 6 February 2014
   • Press release

7. David Willetts appoints new Student Loans Company Chair

   • 3 February 2014
   • Press release

8. UK-France Summit 2014

   • 31 January 2014
   • News story

9. University application rate at record high for 18 year olds

   • 31 January 2014
   • Press release

10. Professor Philip Nelson appointed as chief executive and deputy chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

    • 30 January 2014
    • Press release

View all announcements

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