The secretary of state for social services was a position in the UK cabinet with responsibility for the Department of Health and Social Security between 1968 and 1988. Although the department was titled 'Department of Health and Social Security', the title of the cabinet minister with responsibility for the department was 'secretary of state for social services'.
It was created by an Order in Council which came into operation on 1 November 1968. It transferred the functions of the Minister of Health and the Minister of Social Security to the new Secretary of State, and dissolved those respective ministries.
It continued until 25 July 1988 when the Department of Health and the Department of Social Security were created.
Though when created the position had responsibility for the National Health Service throughout England and Wales, responsibility for the NHS in Wales was transferred to the secretary of state for Wales in 1969.
Secretaries of state Colour key (for political parties):
Secretary of State Term of office Political party Cabinet Richard Crossman 1 November 1968 19 June 1970LabourWilson II Keith Joseph 20 June 1970 4 March 1974 ConservativeHeath Barbara Castle 5 March 1974 8 April 1976 LabourWilson IIIWilson IV David Ennals 8 April 1976 4 May 1979 LabourCallaghan Patrick Jenkin 5 May 1979 13 September 1981 ConservativeThatcher I Norman Fowler 14 September 1981 13 June 1987 ConservativeThatcher II John Moore 13 June 1987 24 July 1988 ConservativeThatcher III Post split into the Secretary of State for Social Security and the Secretary of State for Health in 1988.
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