Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss
First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs. Elizabeth was appointed First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs on 15 September 2021 and was appointed Minister for Women and Equalities on 10 September 2019. She was elected as the Conservative MP for southwest Norfolk in 2010.
First Secretary of State
The Foreign Secretary has overall responsibility for the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, with a particular focus on:
We pursue our national interests and project the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. FCDO is a ministerial department, supported by 12 agencies and public bodies.
FCDO guidance, services, and information
These services are now provided by FCDO:
Education
Elizabeth studied philosophy, politics and economics at Merton College, Oxford.
Political career
Elizabeth entered Parliament in 2010. She was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education and Childcare in September 2012. Elizabeth served as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from July 2014 until July 2016. Elizabeth was Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from July 2016 until June 2017. She was Chief Secretary to the Treasury from June 2017 until July 2019.
Career outside politics
Elizabeth was previously Deputy Director at Reform. She also worked in the energy and telecommunications industry for 10 years as a commercial manager and economics director, and is a qualified management accountant.
About
Liz Truss is the Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk. Liz has also been appointed Minister for Women and Equalities. Born in Leeds to left-wing parents, Liz broke the mould and started her career as an economist and accountant with a Conservative membership card. She was elected as a councillor in Greenwich in 2006, and then as MP for South West Norfolk in 2010. She was one of the first MPs of her intake to enter Government in 2012. Since then she has been an Education Minister, Secretary of State for the Environment (proudly championing the virtues of British cheese) and Justice Secretary and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Liz is currently Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, as well as Minister for Women and Equalities.
A staunch defender of South West Norfolk’s interests, she has fought many successful campaigns for the area, including the dualling of the A11, the F35 fighter jets to be based at RAF Marham and for better rural broadband. Liz is passionate about giving every child basic maths and science skills, and recently provided funding for more maths teachers, a premium for schools whose students study maths, and the extension of the Maths Schools programme. As self-styled ‘Disruptor-in-Chief’, Liz is not afraid to speak her mind, and believes liberating people to start and grow businesses without burdensome red tape is the key to our economic future. She has argued strongly against the Big State policies of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, which she believes will damage choice, innovation and prosperity.
As Chief Secretary, Liz was tasked with keeping a watchful eye on the public finances and driving productivity in public services, so taxpayers get the most for every pound spent. She travelled to Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Chile to see how countries around the globe are turbocharging economic growth, controlling public finances and delivering world-class public services. In July 2019, Liz became Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade. As Secretary of State, she has overall responsibility for the business of the department. At a crucial time for Brexit, Liz is charged with securing new trade deals and partnerships across the world. As Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz is responsible for cross-government equality strategy and legislation. A prolific tweeter, Liz is among the most followed government ministers on social media. You can keep up with Liz’s activity by following on Instagram or Gov Twitter
Personal
Elizabeth lives with her husband and two daughters, dividing her time between Norfolk and London.
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