Secretary of State for Education
The Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP
Biography
Lucy Powell was appointed Secretary of State for Education on 20 July 2026.
She was previously Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons between 5 July 2024 and 5 September 2025.
She was elected as the MP for Manchester Central in July 2024.
Secretary of State for Education
The Secretary of State is responsible for the work of the Department for Education, including:
- early years and childcare
- children’s social care
- teacher quality, recruitment and retention
- the school curriculum
- school improvement
- academies and free schools
- further education
- apprenticeships and skills
- higher education