Chloe Smith is the New Work and Pensions Secretary in the Truss Cabinet

NEW DWP MINISTER – Something of an unknown quantity to the public, Chloe Smith will be watched closely. The government is going to be forcing people into jobs. Claimants need to be very careful to do what they are being told to do. To keep records as evidence and to be careful to back up what they say to their work coaches. To do everything to avoid being sanctioned.

This is Ms Smiths background and it is in the accountancy profession.

Biography

Chloe Smith was appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 6 September 2022.

She was previously appointed Minister of State (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work) at the Department for Work and Pensions from 16 September 2021 to 6 September 2022.

She was Minister of State (Minister for the Constitution and Devolution) from 13 February 2020 to 15 September 2021.

She was Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office from 9 January 2018 to 13 February 2020 and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Assistant Government Whip for the House of Commons from 15 June 2017 to 8 January 2018.

She was elected Conservative MP for Norwich North on 23 July 2009.

Education

Chloe studied English at the University of York.

Political career

Chloe was elected MP for Norwich North in July 2009. She was appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury in October 2011 and from September 2012 to October 2013 she served as Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office.

Career outside politics

Before entering Parliament, Chloe worked for international consultancy firm Deloitte, advising private businesses, government departments and public bodies.

Minister of State (Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work)

The minister’s responsibilities include:

• departmental strategy on disability and disability employment
• cross-government responsibility for disabled people

Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance and elements of Universal Credit that relate to disabled people including the severe disability premium

• work and health strategy including sponsorship of the joint Department for Work and Pensions / Department for Health and Social Care Work and Health Unit

Carer’s Allowance

• disability benefit reform
• devolution framework

Health and Safety Executive

• COVID-19 response
• Serious Case Panel

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