Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United KingdomChancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster |
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Flag of the Duchy of Lancaster
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Arms of the Duchy of Lancaster
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| Style | The Right Honourable (within the UK and Commonwealth) |
| Member of |
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| Reports to | |
| Nominator | Prime Minister of the United Kingdom |
| Appointer | The Monarch
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
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| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Inaugural holder | Sir Henry de Haydock |
| Formation | 1361 |
| Deputy |
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| Salary | £159,038 per annum (2022) (including £86,584 MP salary) |
| Website | www.duchyoflancaster.co.uk |
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The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is an important job in the Government of the United Kingdom. This person is a senior minister in the Cabinet Office, which is a key part of the government that supports the Prime Minister. The Chancellor is usually the highest-ranking minister in the Cabinet Office after the Prime Minister.
Part of their job is to manage the lands and income of the Duchy of Lancaster. This is a special estate that belongs to the King or Queen. The Chancellor is officially chosen by the King or Queen, but this is done on the advice of the Prime Minister. They are also responsible to Parliament for how the Duchy is run.
Today, the Chancellor doesn't spend much time on the daily tasks of the Duchy. Instead, the job is often given to a senior politician. This allows the Prime Minister to have an extra minister in the Cabinet who can take on special tasks. For example, in September 2021, the Chancellor was given the job of helping the Prime Minister with new policies, especially those related to Brexit.
The person who holds this job for the main opposition party is called the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
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History of the Chancellor's Role
The Chancellor's job started way back in 1361. Back then, the Chancellor was the main person in charge of managing the Duchy of Lancaster. They also looked after the County Palatine of Lancaster, which was a special area that became part of the Crown in 1399.
Today, the Duchy is mostly run by a deputy. This means the Chancellor can be a member of the Cabinet without having many daily duties for the Duchy itself. This position has often been given to a senior minister who needs to focus on a specific area of government policy. It's used when there isn't a specific government department for that policy.
In 1491, a new job was created called the Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster. This role is now held by a judge who works in the north-west of England. They are no longer appointed as a legal officer of the Duchy.
The Chancellor in Modern Times
Since 1868, the Chancellor must take two important promises: the oath of allegiance (a promise to the King or Queen) and the Official Oath (a promise to do their job properly). The person holding this job is often a minister without portfolio. This means they are a minister but don't have a specific department to run.
For example, in 1929, Sir Oswald Mosley was appointed to this role. He used the position to focus on the problem of unemployment. Later, in 1915, Winston Churchill was made Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. For him, this was seen as a step down from his previous powerful roles.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster receives a salary. However, if they also earn money from another job, like being a MP, their Chancellor's salary is reduced. The Chancellor's office is part of the Cabinet Office.
From 1997 to 2009, the Chancellor also often held the job of Minister for the Cabinet Office. This happened with Alan Milburn in 2004 when he rejoined the Cabinet. However, in 2009, the Chancellorship went to the Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Royall. This continued until 2014 under David Cameron.
When David Lidington became Chancellor in 2018, he also held the position of Minister for the Cabinet Office again. This continued until Michael Gove was appointed Chancellor in 2019. Michael Gove was given responsibility for the Cabinet Office. He later officially received the title of Minister for the Cabinet Office in 2020. These two jobs stayed together until February 2022.
What the Chancellor Does Today
Besides managing the Duchy of Lancaster's estates and income, the Chancellor has several important duties as a member of the Cabinet. They advise the Prime Minister on how government policies should be developed and put into action.
Here are some of the Chancellor's current responsibilities:
- Leading or co-leading important Cabinet meetings.
- Making sure government plans and projects are carried out.
- Looking after committees and special groups that work on government tasks.
- Overseeing how Brexit affects different parts of the United Kingdom and dealing with constitutional matters.
- Checking on all the policies that come from the Cabinet Office.
- Making sure the UK's plan for biological security is put into action. They report to Parliament about this every year.
Past Chancellors
See also
- Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
- Minister without portfolio
- County Palatine of Lancaster
