Shadow Cabinet posts

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
In office 8 July 2024 – 4 November 2024
Leader	Rishi Sunak
Preceded by	Rachel Reeves
Succeeded by	Mel Stride
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
In office 2 July 2007 – 11 May 2010
Leader	David Cameron
Preceded by	Hugo Swire
Succeeded by	Ben Bradshaw
Shadow Minister for the Olympics
In office 2 July 2007 – 11 May 2010
Leader	David Cameron
Preceded by	Hugo Swire
Succeeded by	Tessa Jowell
Shadow Minister for Disabled People
In office 6 December 2005 – 2 July 2007
Leader	David Cameron
Preceded by	Paul Goodman
Succeeded by	Mark Harper

Further offices held

Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee
In office 29 January 2020 – 14 October 2022
Preceded by	Sarah Wollaston
Succeeded by	Steve Brine

Member of Parliament
for Godalming and Ash
South West Surrey (2005–2024)

Incumbent

Assumed office
5 May 2005

Preceded by

Virginia Bottomley

Majority

891 (1.6%)

Personal details

Born

Jeremy Richard Streynsham Hunt

1 November 1966 (age 58)
London, England

Political party

Conservative

Spouse

Lucia Guo

(m. 2009)

Children

Parent

Nicholas Hunt (father)

Relatives

Agnes Hunt (cousin)
Rowland Hunt (cousin)

Education

Magdalen College, Oxford (BA)

Signature

Jeremy Hunt (born 1 November 1966) is a British politician. He was a very important government minister for many years. He served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer (in charge of the country's money) from 2022 to 2024. Before that, he was the Foreign Secretary (dealing with other countries) from 2018 to 2019.

He also worked as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care from 2012 to 2018. This role meant he was in charge of the NHS. From 2010 to 2012, he was the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. He is a member of the Conservative Party. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Godalming and Ash since 2005.

Jeremy Hunt was born in Kennington, London. His father was an Admiral in the Royal Navy. Jeremy studied at Magdalen College, Oxford University. While at university, he was the president of the Oxford University Conservative Association. He became an MP in 2005. He later joined the Shadow Cabinet, which is a group of opposition politicians who would be ministers if their party were in power.

He is known for overseeing the 2012 London Olympics. These games were a big success. He also became the longest-serving Health Secretary in British history. After leaving government, he became the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. This is a group of MPs who check how the government is doing in health and social care.

Early Life and Education
Early Career and Business
Political Career
Personal Life
Honours
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Jeremy Hunt attended Charterhouse School where he became head boy.

Jeremy Richard Streynsham Hunt was born on 1 November 1966. He grew up in Shere, Surrey, which is close to the area he now represents in Parliament. His father, Sir Nicholas Hunt, was a high-ranking officer in the Royal Navy. His mother was Meriel Eve Hunt.

Jeremy went to Charterhouse School, a private school, where he was the head boy. After school, he went to Magdalen College, Oxford University. He studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He got a top degree. While at Oxford, he was involved in Conservative politics. He was president of the university's Conservative group in 1987.

Early Career and Business

After university, Jeremy Hunt worked as a business consultant for two years. Then, he moved to Japan and taught English. When he came back to Britain, he tried to start a few businesses. Some of them didn't work out, like trying to sell marmalade to Japan!

In 1991, he started a public relations company called Profile PR. This company focused on IT. Later, he and his friend Mike Elms sold their share in Profile PR. They then focused on a new company called Hotcourses.

Hotcourses helped people find places to study abroad. Jeremy Hunt stopped being a director of Hotcourses in 2009. However, he still owned a large part of the company. In 2017, Hotcourses was sold for over £30 million. Jeremy Hunt personally made over £14 million from this sale. This made him one of the richest politicians in the UK government at the time.

Political Career

Becoming an MP (2005–2010)

In the 2005 general election, Jeremy Hunt was elected as the MP for South West Surrey. He won with a majority of 5,711 votes.

He supported David Cameron to become the leader of the Conservative Party. In December 2005, he was made a Shadow Minister for Disabled People. This meant he was part of the opposition party's team.

Culture Secretary (2010–2012)

Jeremy Hunt in 2010.

In 2010, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed a government together. Jeremy Hunt was given a big job: Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. This role meant he was in charge of culture, media, sports, and the upcoming Olympics.

One of his main tasks was overseeing the 2012 London Olympics. When there were problems with security staff, he made sure soldiers were brought in to help. He also decided to increase the budget for the opening ceremony. The London Olympics were a huge success around the world.

As Culture Secretary, he also worked on improving broadband internet speeds across Britain. He also pushed for more local TV channels. This led to new local TV stations starting in many cities and towns across the UK.

Health Secretary (2012–2018)

Jeremy Hunt during a trip to the US in 2013.

In 2012, Jeremy Hunt became the Secretary of State for Health. This was a very important job, as he was responsible for the NHS. He worked to improve patient safety and reduce early deaths. He also focused on reducing waiting times in emergency departments.

During his time, the NHS received more money. He became the longest-serving Health Secretary in British history. He faced some challenges, including a disagreement with junior doctors about their contracts. This led to some strikes by doctors. He also defended the NHS's free healthcare for everyone.

Foreign Secretary (2018–2019)

Jeremy Hunt meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Brussels, May 2019.

In July 2018, Jeremy Hunt became the Foreign Secretary. This meant he was in charge of how the UK deals with other countries. He worked to strengthen relationships with countries around the world. He also spoke about important global issues.

He visited China and met with their foreign minister. He talked about working together on things like global trade and protecting the environment. He also spoke out about human rights issues in China. He was critical of Russia and Iran during his time as Foreign Secretary.

Conservative Party Leadership (2019 & 2022)

In 2019, after Prime Minister Theresa May resigned, Jeremy Hunt decided to run to become the leader of the Conservative Party. If he won, he would also become the Prime Minister. He made it to the final two candidates but lost to Boris Johnson.

After Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, Jeremy Hunt chose to return to being a regular MP. He later became the chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. This committee checks how the government is doing in health and social care. He spoke out about the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, Boris Johnson resigned, and Jeremy Hunt ran for party leader again. He was eliminated in the first round of voting. He then supported Rishi Sunak for the leadership.

Chancellor of the Exchequer (2022–2024)

Jeremy Hunt presenting his 2023 spring budget.

On 14 October 2022, Jeremy Hunt was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by Prime Minister Liz Truss. This is one of the most powerful jobs in the government. The Chancellor is in charge of the country's money, taxes, and economy. He kept this job when Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister.

As Chancellor, he made important announcements about the country's finances. He presented two budgets in 2023 and 2024. He also outlined plans to boost the economy and help families. He worked on reforms for the pension industry to help people save more for their future.

In Opposition (2024–Present)

In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Jeremy Hunt was re-elected as an MP for the new area of Godalming and Ash. After the Conservative Party lost the election, he became the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. This means he leads the opposition's financial team. He announced that he would not run for party leader again. He plans to stay as a regular MP for the next few years.

Personal Life

Jeremy Hunt with his children and dog in 2024.

Jeremy Hunt is married to Lucia Guo. They met in 2008 and got married in July 2009. They have three children: a son and two daughters. His wife is from China.

He speaks Japanese. He learned the language when he lived and worked in Japan as an English teacher. He is a member of the Church of England. Jeremy Hunt has spoken about the importance of good mental health. He believes that exercise, social connections, and sleep are important for well-being. He has also shared that his family has been affected by cancer.

Honours

2010: He was appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. This gives him the special title "The Right Honourable" for life.
2020: He received an honour from San Marino, called the Knight Grand Officer of the Equestrian Order of St Agatha.

Images for kids

Jeremy Hunt's signature
Jeremy Hunt's 2022 leadership campaign logo

Jeremy Hunt facts for kids

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