Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids United Kingdom Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Flag of the Duchy of Lancaster
Arms of the Duchy of Lancaster
Incumbent Darren Jones since 5 September 2025
Government of the United Kingdom Cabinet Office Duchy of Lancaster
Style	The Right Honourable (within the UK and Commonwealth)
Member of	Cabinet Privy Council National Security Council
Reports to	The Monarch Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Nominator	Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Appointer	The Monarch (on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder	Sir Henry de Haydock
Formation	1361
Deputy	Minister for the Cabinet Office Paymaster General
Salary	£159,038 per annum (2022) (including £86,584 MP salary)
Website	https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/chancellor-of-the-duchy-of-lancaster

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is an important job in the Government of the United Kingdom. This person is a top minister in the Cabinet Office, which helps the Prime Minister run the country. They are ranked just below the Prime Minister.

This role also involves looking after the lands and money of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Duchy is a special private estate owned by the British Monarch.

The Monarch officially appoints the Chancellor, but they do so on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Chancellor must answer to Parliament about how the Duchy is managed.

Today, the Chancellor usually doesn't spend much time on the daily tasks of the Duchy. Instead, this job is often given to a senior politician. This allows the Prime Minister to have an extra minister in their main team, called the Cabinet. This minister often has other important tasks. A "minister without portfolio" is someone in the government who doesn't have a specific department to run.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is usually a close helper of the Prime Minister. They work to achieve the government's main goals. For example, in 2021, the Chancellor helped advise the Prime Minister on Brexit policy. Currently, the Chancellor helps with the government's main plans, Cabinet Office policies, making politics fair, and keeping the country safe.

What is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster?

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is a special government role. It combines a historic duty with modern political tasks. The person holding this job is a key member of the Prime Minister's team. They help make important decisions for the country.

A Look at the Role's History

Long ago, the Chancellor was the main person managing the Duchy of Lancaster. This Duchy is a large area of land and property. It has been owned by the British Monarch for centuries. The Chancellor made sure everything ran smoothly day-to-day.

However, over time, the daily management of the Duchy changed. A deputy now handles most of these tasks. This allowed the Chancellor to take on other important duties within the government. The role became a way for the Prime Minister to include a skilled politician in the Cabinet. This politician could then focus on specific policy areas.

How the Role Changed Over Time

In 1491, a separate legal officer, the Vice-Chancellor, was created for the Duchy. This meant the Chancellor's role became less about legal matters.

By 1868, the Chancellor had to take special promises, called oaths, to be loyal to the Monarch and their duties. This showed the role's importance.

Sometimes, the Chancellor's job was given to a politician who needed a new role. For example, in 1915, Winston Churchill became Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. This was a less powerful role for him at the time.

The Chancellor receives a salary, just like other ministers. The office itself is part of the Cabinet Office. This means the Chancellor works closely with other top government officials.

Over the years, the Chancellor's role has often been combined with other important government jobs. For instance, sometimes the Chancellor also served as the Minister for the Cabinet Office. This happened with David Lidington in 2018 and Michael Gove from 2019 to 2022. This shows how flexible and important the role can be within the government.

Important People in the Role

Many different politicians have held the title of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These individuals often played key roles in government. They helped shape policies and support the Prime Minister's agenda. The role has been a stepping stone or a place for experienced leaders.

What Does the Chancellor Do Today?

As of September 2025, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has many important responsibilities. They help the Prime Minister and the government in several key areas:

• Supporting Government Goals: They help make sure the government's main plans and promises are achieved.
• Overseeing Cabinet Office Policy: They look over all the policies and plans made by the Cabinet Office.
• National Security and Safety: This includes making sure the country is safe from threats. It covers things like:
  • Dealing with emergencies (like COBR meetings).
  • Planning for how the country can recover from big problems.
  • Protecting computer systems from attacks (cyber security).
  • Handling threats from other countries.
  • Making sure new investments don't harm national security.
• Good Conduct in Politics: They help make sure politicians and government workers act properly and ethically.
• Public Appointments: They help with choosing people for important jobs in public service.
• Major Events: They help plan and manage big national events.

See also

• Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
• Minister without portfolio
• County Palatine of Lancaster