The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP
Biography
Elizabeth Truss was appointed Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade on 24 July 2019. She was appointed Minister for Women and Equalities on 10 September 2019. She was elected as the Conservative MP for south west Norfolk in 2010.
Education
Elizabeth studied philosophy, politics and economics at Merton College, Oxford.
Political career
Elizabeth entered Parliament in 2010. She was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare in September 2012. Elizabeth served as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from July 2014 until July 2016.
Elizabeth was Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from July 2016 until June 2017. She was Chief Secretary to the Treasury from June 2017 until July 2019.
Career outside politics
Elizabeth was previously Deputy Director at Reform. She also worked in the energy and telecommunications industry for 10 years as a commercial manager and economics director, and is a qualified management accountant.
Personal life
Elizabeth is married with 2 children.
Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
Principal responsibilities:
- leading the UK’s role in championing free trade through securing new free trade agreements, developing a new UK global tariff policy, and reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO)
- upgrading the UK’s export performance by increasing the number of exporters and the value of exports
- increasing the amount and value of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the UK
- overall responsibility for the business of the department, including the running of the department and its finances
Minister for Women and Equalities
The Minister for Women and Equalities has responsibility for:
- developing an equalities policy that it is based on individual autonomy and dignity
- promoting equality of opportunity for everyone
Before July 2014, this role was covered by the Minister for Women and the Minister for Equalities.
Government Equalities Office and Department for International Trade
Previous roles in government
Announcements
Subscriptions
- New Board of Trade holds first meeting
- New Board of Trade holds first meeting to agree principles and future programme of work
- Liz Truss ramps up engagement with trade unions and civil society groups
- Minister for Women and Equalities selects new EHRC Chair
- Negotiations on the UK’s Future Trading Relationship with the Australia: Update
- British exporters recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List
- UK and Ukraine sign Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement
- Government secures access for British business to £1.3 trillion of global procurement contracts
- Notice of Determination: safeguard measures on certain steel products – application of tariff rate quotas
- First exports of UK beef to the USA in 20 years underway