Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)

United Kingdom
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Incumbent
Yvette Cooper
since 5 September 2025
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Style
TypeMinister of the Crown
Status
Member of
Reports toThe Prime Minister
Residence
SeatKing Charles Street
NominatorThe Prime Minister
AppointerThe Monarch
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Formation
  • 27 March 1782 (as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs)
  • 2 September 2020 (as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)
First holderCharles James Fox (as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs)
DeputyMinister of State for Development
Salary£106,363 per annum (2022)
Websitewww.gov.uk/government/ministers/foreign-secretary

The secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs, commonly known as the foreign secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with responsibility for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The role is one of the most senior ministers in the UK Government and is a Great Office of State. The incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom and National Security Council, and reports directly to the prime minister.

The officeholder works alongside the other Foreign Office ministers. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow foreign secretary. The Foreign Affairs Select Committee also evaluates the secretary of state's performance.

The current foreign secretary is Yvette Cooper. She was appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 5 September 2025.