Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

The secretary of state for science, innovation and technology was a secretary of state in the government of the United Kingdom, with responsibility for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The incumbent was a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.

Responsibilities The responsibilities of the secretary of state included:

Online Safety Bill Oversight of Science and Technology Economic and national security Skills and Talent Landscape review Research bureaucracy Regulation Overall R&D budget Horizon Europe Advanced Research and Invention Agency UK Research and Innovation OneWeb shareholding British Technology Investments Ltd

History In 1915 a Privy Council Committee for Scientific and Industrial Research' consisting at first of six ministers and three other privy councillors in their personal capacities was established. Because of the close connection between education and research, the President of the Board of Education was nominated as vice-president of the committee of the Privy Council. With the increasing importance of the industrial side of research, these initial arrangements soon became inadequate.

Consequently, in December 1916 a separate Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was created which headed by the lord president of the Council. In 1959 responsibility for science was given to a separate minister for science. The only holder of this office was Quintin Hogg (then 2nd Viscount Hailsham) who until October 1959 had been Lord President of the Council.

In 1964 the offices of Minister for Science and Minister of Education were merged to create the position of Secretary of State for Education and Science with Quintin Hogg remaining in post. From June 1970 to March 1974, this post was held by future Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In 1992, the responsibility for science was transferred to the Office of Science and Technology initially based in the Cabinet Office. In 1995 responsibility was transferred to the secretary of state for trade and industry.

In 2007, under Gordon Brown's new premiership, the position of Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills was created, this role took over responsibility for science and innovation from the secretary of state for trade and industry and responsibility for higher education from the secretary of state for education and skills. In 2009 the responsibilities of the secretaries of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform and innovation, universities and skills were merged to created the position of Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. In July 2016, Prime Minister Theresa May decided to merge the Department for Energy and Climate Change into this department resulting in the position being renamed to Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

The current office was created by a government reshuffle on 7 February 2023, combining responsibilities from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with responsibilities from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and from the Government Office for Science. The department and secretary of state have responsibilities to "deliver improved public services, create new and better-paid jobs and grow the economy."

In May 2023 the position was incorporated as a corporation sole.

On 20 July 2026 it was merged with the Department for Business and Trade.

List Minister for Science (1959–1964) Colour key (for political parties):

MinisterTook officeLeft officePolitical party Ministry Quintin Hogg 3 November 1959 31 March 1964 Conservative Harold Macmillan Alec Douglas-Home Functions transferred to the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

Secretary of State for Education and Science (1964–1992) Colour key (for political parties):

Secretary of StateTook officeLeft officePolitical party Ministry Quintin Hogg 1 April 1964 16 October 1964 Conservative Alec Douglas-Home Michael Stewart 18 October 1964 22 January 1965 Labour Harold Wilson Anthony Crosland 22 January 1965 29 August 1967 Patrick Gordon Walker 29 August 1967 6 April 1968 Edward Short 6 April 1968 19 June 1970 Margaret Thatcher 20 June 1970 4 March 1974 Conservative Edward Heath Reginald Prentice 5 March 1974 9 June 1975 Labour Harold Wilson Fred Mulley 10 June 1975 9 September 1976 James Callaghan Shirley Williams 10 September 1976 4 May 1979 Mark Carlisle 5 May 1979 14 September 1981 Conservative Margaret Thatcher Keith Joseph 14 September 1981 20 May 1986 Kenneth Baker 21 May 1986 23 July 1989 John MacGregor 24 July 1989 1 November 1990 Kenneth Clarke 2 November 1990 9 April 1992 John Major Functions transferred to the Cabinet Office.

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (2007–2009) Colour key (for political parties):

Secretary of StateTook officeLeft officePolitical party Ministry John Denham 28 June 2007 5 June 2009 Labour Gordon Brown Functions transferred to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (2023–2026) Colour key (for political parties):

Secretary of StateTook officeLeft officePolitical party MinistryMichelle Donelan7 February 202328 April 2023ConservativeRishi SunakChloe Smith28 April 202320 July 2023Michelle Donelan20 July 20235 July 2024Peter Kyle5 July 20245 September 2025 LabourKeir StarmerLiz Kendall5 September 202520 July 2026 Functions transferred to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (2026-present) Colour key (for political parties):

Secretary of StateTook officeLeft officePolitical partyMinistry Jonathan Reynolds 20 July 2026 IncumbentLabourAndy Burnham

Timeline

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Bron en licentie