The Rt Hon James Murray MP has served as the Member of Parliament for Ealing North since 2019. He was appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 14 May 2026. He was previously Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 1 September 2025 to 14 May 2026. He previously held the office of Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, having been shadow Financial Secretary for three and a half years before that. He is a member of the Labour and Co-operative parties and served as the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development from 2016 to 2019. Prior to being appointed Deputy Mayor, he served as a councillor for a decade, including six years as executive member for housing and development from 2010 to 2016. Earlier in his career, he worked in a management consultancy.
A transformative journey of public service and strategic excellence defines the life of the Rt Hon James Murray MP, who was appointed as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on May 14, 2026. Born in Hammersmith in 1983 and raised in West Ealing, James was inspired by a family tradition of community involvement, with both his mother and grandmother being active figures in local social progress. He pursued his education at the prestigious St Paul’s School before attending Wadham College, Oxford, where he earned a first class degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in 2004, laying the intellectual foundation for a career dedicated to the betterment of society.
James’s early political career was marked by a decade of impactful service as a councillor in Islington, where he earned a reputation as a formidable and principled negotiator during his tenure as the Executive Member for Housing and Development. His visionary work in the local community caught the attention of Sadiq Khan, leading to his appointment as London’s Deputy Mayor for Housing in 2016. In this high profile role, James pioneered innovative fast track approaches to affordable housing and oversaw a record breaking four point eight billion pound investment program, successfully raising council homebuilding to its highest level in over three decades and transforming the lives of thousands of Londoners.
Elected as the Member of Parliament for Ealing North in 2019, James has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the holistic development of the nation’s infrastructure and public services. His parliamentary ascent has been characterized by a series of senior roles within the Treasury, including serving as Shadow Financial Secretary, Exchequer Secretary, and most recently as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. These positions allowed him to demonstrate his strategic acumen and visionary development of national priorities, ensuring that fiscal responsibility and social equity remain at the heart of the government’s ambitious agenda for growth and renewal.
The Secretary of State’s personal journey is equally inspiring, marked by a quiet resilience that informs his empathetic approach to healthcare leadership. Having successfully navigated a diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis in the late 2000s, James possesses an authentic understanding of the patient experience and the vital importance of world class clinical support. Now symptom free after receiving expert care within the health service, he carries this firsthand perspective into his current role, dedicated to ensuring that the National Health Service remains a beacon of hope and excellence for every citizen who relies on its life changing services.
As he leads the Department of Health and Social Care into a majestic new era, James Murray remains a figure of boundless optimism and shared purpose, living in West Ealing with his husband, Tom Griffiths. His leadership is a testament to the power of a clear vision and a dedicated heart, bridging the gap between national policy and the lived experience of local communities. The story of his public life continues to be a magnificent narrative of dedication and progress, proving that with the right leadership, the possibilities for a healthier and more vibrant nation are truly limitless for generations to come.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, also referred to as the Health Secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom. The holder is responsible for the work of the Department of Health and Social Care. We support ministers in leading the nation’s health and social care to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer. DHSC is a ministerial department, supported by 23 agencies and public bodies.
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