Foreign Secretary

The secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs, also known as the foreign secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with responsibility for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The role is seen as one of the most senior ministers in the UK Government and is a Great Office of State. The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom and National Security Council, and reports directly to the prime minister.

The officeholder works alongside the other Foreign Office ministers. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow foreign secretary. The Foreign Affairs Select Committee also evaluates the secretary of state's performance.

On 5 July 2024, David Lammy, was appointed as foreign secretary by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Responsibilities
In contrast to what is generally known as a foreign minister in many other countries, the Foreign Secretary's remit includes:


 * British relations with foreign countries and governments
 * Promotion of British interests abroad
 * Matters pertaining to the Commonwealth of Nations and the Overseas Territories
 * Oversight for the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)

Residence
The official residence of the foreign secretary is 1 Carlton Gardens, in London. The foreign secretary also has the use of Chevening House, a country house in Kent, South East England, and works from the Foreign Office in Whitehall.

History
The title secretary of state in the government of England dates back to the early 17th century. The position of secretary of state for foreign affairs was created in the British governmental reorganisation of 1782, in which the Northern and Southern Departments became the Foreign Office and Home Office respectively. The India Office which, like the Colonial Office and the Dominions Office, had been a constituent predecessor department of the Foreign Office, was closed down in 1947.

Eventually, the position of secretary of state for foreign and Commonwealth affairs came into existence in 1968 with the merger of the functions of secretary of the state for foreign affairs and the secretary of state for Commonwealth affairs into a single department of state. Margaret Beckett, appointed in 2006 by Tony Blair, was the first woman to have held the post.

The post of secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs was created in 2020 when position holder Dominic Raab absorbed the responsibilities of the secretary of state for international development.

Secretaries of state for foreign affairs (1782–1968)

 * Died in office.

Secretaries of state for foreign and Commonwealth affairs (1968–2020)
Post created through the merger of the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.

Secretaries of state for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (2020–present)
Post created through the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.