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Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education

The office of Minister of State for Skills,[1] formerly Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education and previously Minister of State for Universities, is a mid-level position in the Department for Education in the British government. The position has been filled by Jacqui Smith since July 2024.[2] The minister has oversight over skills and higher and further education, including universities and the Student Loans Company.

Under New Labour, the role was known as Minister of State for Higher Education and Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Under the Cameron–Clegg coalition and May ministries, the role became known as Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities and Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. The role of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Research and Innovation was created out of this office.

Following the 2021 British cabinet reshuffle under the second Johnson ministry, the role was known as Minister of State for Higher and Further Education and the officeholder, Michelle Donelan, was given the right to attend Cabinet. Under Donelan's successor, Andrea Jenkyns, the position was demoted to a parlimentary under-secretary of state role and known as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills, Further and Higher Education.

Under the Sunak ministeries, the role was promoted back to the level of Minister of State.[3]

At certain times, the minister worked in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The short form Skills Minister is sometimes used.[4]

History

The position had increased prominence in 2020 and 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic affected further education and university education.[5] The minister attended cabinet briefly after the 2021 British cabinet reshuffle.[6]

Responsibilities

The minister has the following responsibilities:[7]


List of ministers of state for higher and further education

References

  1. ^ "Minister of State (Minister for Skills) - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  2. ^ "The Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Minister of State (Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education) - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Two ministers make visit to Keighley". Rombalds Radio. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023. Skills Minister Robert Halfon
  5. ^ "Ministers urged to put pressure on universities over refunds for students". Shropshire Star. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Cabinet reshuffle 2021: Who is in Boris Johnson's new cabinet?". BBC News. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Minister of State (Minister for Higher and Further Education) - GOV.UK". Gov.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  8. ^ Gaind, Nisha; Vesper, Inga (5 December 2018). "Government loyalist appointed new UK science minister as Brexit woes continue". Nature. doi:10.1038/d41586-018-07655-9. S2CID 158206538.

See also