The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern

Biography

The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Skills) at the Department for Education on 6 July 2024. This role also became part of the Department for Work and Pensions on 6 September 2025. She was reappointed to both departments on 21 July 2026.

Baroness Smith previously served as:

Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities) between 4 March 2025 and 21 July 2026
Government Spokesperson for Equalities between 8 October 2024 and 4 March 2025

Minister of State (Minister for Skills)

The minister’s Department for Education (DfE) responsibilities include:

governance, intervention and accountability of further education colleges
funding for education and training, provision and outcomes for 16- to 19-year-olds
further education financial stability and workforce
access to higher education, participation and lifelong learning entitlement
quality of higher education and the student experience (including the Office for Students)
student finance (including the Student Loans Company)
technical and vocational qualifications (level 3 and below), including T Levels
higher technical education (levels 4 and 5)
careers advice
support for young people aged 16 to 19 not in employment, education or training (NEET)
skills strategy and delivery
technical excellence colleges
international education

The minister’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) responsibilities include:

Skills England and Industry Training Boards
adult education, including basic skills
apprenticeships, including the growth and skills levy
skills bootcamps
sector skills packages
careers advice and support for young people over the age of 19 not in employment, education or training (NEET)
Youth Guarantee

More about this role

Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions