Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

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Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Official portrait of Jonathan Ashworth MP.jpg
Incumbent
Jonathan Ashworth

since 29 November 2021
AppointerLeader of the Opposition
Inaugural holderMichael Meacher
Formation2 November 1989
WebsiteThe Shadow Cabinet

The Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is an office within British politics held by a member of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. The duty of the office holder is to scrutinise the actions of the government's Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and develop alternative policies. The office holder, currently Jonathan Ashworth, is a member of the Shadow Cabinet.

List of Shadow Secretaries[]

Shadow Secretary of State for Social Security[]

Name Entered office Left office Political party Shadow Cabinet
Michael Meacher

1939–2015

Michael Meacher MP.jpg 2 November 1989 18 July 1992 Labour Neil Kinnock
Donald Dewar

1937–2000

Donald Dewar.jpg 18 July 1992 19 October 1995 Labour John Smith
Tony Blair
Chris Smith

born 1951

Official portrait of Lord Smith of Finsbury, 2020.jpg 19 October 1995 1 July 1996 Labour
Harriet Harman

born 1950

Official portrait of Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP crop 2.jpg 1 July 1996 2 May 1997 Labour
Peter Lilley

born 1943

Official portrait of Lord Lilley crop 2.jpg 2 May 1997 19 June 1997 Conservative John Major
Iain Duncan Smith

born 1954

Official portrait of Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP crop 2.jpg 19 June 1997 15 June 1999 Conservative William Hague
David Willetts

born 1956

Official portrait of Lord Willetts crop 2.jpg 15 June 1999 14 September 2001 Conservative

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions[]

David Willetts

born 1956

Official portrait of Lord Willetts crop 2.jpg 14 September 2001 6 May 2005 Conservative Iain Duncan Smith
Michael Howard
Malcolm Rifkind

born 1946

Malcolm Rifkind 2011 (cropped).jpg 6 May 2005 6 December 2005 Conservative
Philip Hammond

born 1955

Official portrait of Mr Philip Hammond crop 2.jpg 6 December 2005 2 July 2007 Conservative David Cameron
Chris Grayling

born 1962

Official portrait of Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP crop 2.jpg 2 July 2007 19 January 2009 Conservative
Theresa May

born 1956

Theresa May - Home Secretary and minister for women and equality.jpg 19 January 2009 11 May 2010 Conservative
Yvette Cooper

born 1969

Official portrait of Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP crop 2.jpg 11 May 2010 8 October 2010 Labour Harriet Harman
Douglas Alexander

born 1967

Douglas Alexander MP at Chatham House 2015 crop.jpg 8 October 2010 20 January 2011 Labour Ed Miliband
Liam Byrne

born 1970

Official portrait of Liam Byrne crop 2.jpg 20 January 2011 7 October 2013 Labour
Rachel Reeves

born 1979

Official portrait of Rachel Reeves crop 2.jpg 7 October 2013 8 June 2015 Labour
Harriet Harman
Stephen Timms
Acting

born 1955

Official portrait of Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP crop 2.jpg 8 June 2015 13 September 2015 Labour
Owen Smith

born 1970

Official portrait of Owen Smith crop 2.jpg 14 September 2015 27 June 2016 Labour Jeremy Corbyn
Debbie Abrahams

born 1960

Debbie Abrahams MP.jpg 27 June 2016 11 March 2018 Labour
Margaret Greenwood

born 1959

Official portrait of Margaret Greenwood MP crop 2.jpg 11 March 2018 6 April 2020 Labour
Jonathan Reynolds

born 1980

Official portrait of Jonathan Reynolds MP crop 2.jpg 6 April 2020 29 November 2021 Labour Keir Starmer
Jonathan Ashworth

born 1978

Official portrait of Jonathan Ashworth MP crop 2.jpg 29 November 2021 Incumbent Labour
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