UK Defence Secretary: Current Officeholder (2024)

Position: Secretary of State for Defence

As of July 2024, the UK Defence Secretary is Grant Shapps.

Recent Succession

• Ben Wallace: Jul 2019 – Aug 2023 (longest-serving since 1990s).
• Grant Shapps: Appointed Aug 31, 2023 (PM Rishi Sunak). Previously Energy, Home, Transport, Business Secretary.

Role & Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Strategic direction of British Armed Forces (Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Strategic Command).
• Defence policy, procurement, budget (~£50B/yr), nuclear deterrent (Trident), NATO commitments.
• Reports to PM; sits in Cabinet & National Security Council.

Verification

For absolute latest, check GOV.UK Ministerial Page or major UK news (BBC, Guardian, Times). Changes occur with reshuffles/elections.