The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP

The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for all Home Office business, including:

• overarching responsibility for the departmental portfolio and oversight of the ministerial team
• cabinet
• National Security Council (NSC)
• public appointments
• oversight of the Security Service
• overall responsibility for the Home Office response to COVID-19 including health measures at the border and police powers to enforce lockdown

Priti Patel was appointed Secretary of State for the Home Department on 24 July 2019.

Priti was elected Conservative MP for Witham in May 2010.

Education

Priti attended a comprehensive school in Watford before studying economics at Keele University. She completed her postgraduate studies at the University of Essex.

Political career

Priti was Secretary of State for International Development from July 2016 to November 2017. Priti served as Minister of State for Employment from May 2015 until July 2016. She was Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury from July 2014 to May 2015.

Career outside politics

In November 2013, the Prime Minister appointed Priti as the first ever UK Indian Diaspora Champion. Before becoming an MP, she worked in consultancy and worked internationally.

Personal life

Priti is married and has a young son.