Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP

Biography

The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 24 July 2019.

He was previously Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from June 2017 to July 2019. He was elected Conservative MP for Surrey Heath in 2005.

Education

Michael was educated at Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University.

Political career

Michael was Shadow Minister for Housing from 2005 to 2007 and Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010.

He served as Secretary of State for Education from May 2010 until July 2014. From July 2014 to May 2015, he served as Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. Michael also served as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from May 2015 until 14 July 2016.

Career outside politics

Michael became a journalist after leaving university, working as a reporter for The Press and Journal in Aberdeen, a researcher and reporter at Scottish Television and a reporter for BBC Television. He was later Assistant Editor of The Times.

Personal life

Michael is married with 2 children.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster administers the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster, and is a member of the Cabinet. After the Prime Minister, he is the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office. He is responsible for:

• Ensuring the UK is ready to leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal
• Oversight of all government departments’ preparations for Brexit
• Oversight of all communications and other government interventions to ensure businesses and citizens get ready for Brexit
• Chairing and deputy chairing Cabinet committees
• Oversight of the devolution consequences of Brexit

More about this role

Cabinet Office

Previous roles in government

1. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

   • 2017 to 2019

2. Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

   • 2015 to 2016

3. Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)

   • 2014 to 2015

4. Secretary of State for Education

   • 2010 to 2014

Announcements

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1. Remarks at the German Embassy by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: 3 October 2019
   • 3 October 2019
   • Speech
2. Communiqués from the Inter Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
   • 30 September 2019
   • Policy paper
3. Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) communiqué: 12 September 2019
   • 12 September 2019
   • Policy paper
4. Ministers and banks to support small and medium businesses (SMEs) to seize Brexit opportunities
   • 5 September 2019
   • Press release
5. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster statement in the House: 3 September 2019
   • 3 September 2019
   • Speech
6. ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ campaign launched
   • 1 September 2019
   • Press release
7. Ministers from the Cabinet Office, BEIS, and DCMS meet representatives of business federations to discuss Brexit
   • 8 August 2019
   • Press release
8. Ministers visit Dover to ensure UK ports are ready for Brexit
   • 7 August 2019
   • Press release
9. No-deal is a very real prospect. We must ensure we are ready: article by Michael Gove
   • 28 July 2019
   • Authored article
10. TSE infectivity of blood and blood products: Pages 1 to 35 of file 65397264
    • 25 July 2019
    • FOI release

View all announcements