Liz Kendall – New Role 2025 and Political Career

Liz Kendall is a senior Labour politician currently serving as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, a role she took up in September 2025. She has represented the constituency of Leicester West in the House of Commons since the 2010 general election and now holds one of the most technology-focused portfolios in Keir Starmer’s cabinet.

Born in 1971, Kendall studied at the University of Cambridge before working in the think‑tank and charity sectors. She spent a decade on the opposition frontbench before entering government after Labour’s 2024 election victory. Her career has spanned health, social care, welfare reform, and most recently, science and innovation policy.

This article examines her background, her current responsibilities, and the key events of her parliamentary career.

Who is Liz Kendall?

• September 2025 appointment: Kendall moved from Work and Pensions to Science, Innovation and Technology, a sign of the government’s focus on tech and innovation.
• Longest‑serving MP for Leicester West: First elected in 2010, she has held the seat for over 15 years.
• Key cabinet figure: Her new portfolio is considered central to the government’s economic and industrial strategy.
• Former leadership contender: She stood in the 2015 Labour leadership election, finishing fourth.
• Cambridge graduate: She studied History at the University of Cambridge before entering the think‑tank world.

What is Liz Kendall’s New Role in 2025?

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

On 5 September 2025, Liz Kendall was appointed Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, replacing her previous role as Work and Pensions Secretary. The department oversees the UK’s research base, digital infrastructure, and technology regulation. According to the official government record, this move was part of a wider cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

How She Secured the Role

Kendall’s shift from welfare to science surprised some observers, but her experience in health policy—including her time as Shadow Minister for Social Care—gave her exposure to public health research and innovation. Her appointment is widely seen as an effort to bring a social policy perspective to the science and technology brief.

What is Liz Kendall’s Political Background?

Parliamentary Career Since 2010

Liz Kendall was first elected to the House of Commons on 6 May 2010 as the Labour MP for Leicester West. She has held the seat continuously since then, building a strong local presence. Before entering Parliament, she worked for think‑tanks and charities, including as Director of the Maternity Alliance and Associate Director at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

Shadow Cabinet Roles and Leadership Bids

Under Ed Miliband, she served as Shadow Health spokesperson from 2010 to 2015, attending the cabinet from 2011. In 2015, she stood for the Labour leadership as the Blairite candidate and finished fourth with under 5% of the vote. She later backed Owen Smith in 2016 and Jess Phillips in 2020. In Keir Starmer’s September 2023 reshuffle, she was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

From Opposition to Government

After Labour won the 2024 general election, Kendall became Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 5 July 2024. She held that role for just over a year before being moved to the science and technology department. Her time at Work and Pensions included overseeing the rollout of the 2025 Universal Credit boost and changes to Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.

Is Liz Kendall in the Labour Party?

Yes, Liz Kendall is a member of the Labour Party. She has represented the party in Leicester West since 2010. Within Labour, she has been associated with the more centrist or Blairite wing, as evidenced by her leadership campaign in 2015 and her endorsements in subsequent contests. Despite her past leadership ambition, she has been a loyal member of Keir Starmer’s cabinet.

Liz Kendall’s Political Career Timeline

1. 11 June 1971 – Born Elizabeth Louise Kendall.
2. 1990s – Studied History at the University of Cambridge.
3. 6 May 2010 – Elected Labour MP for Leicester West.
4. 2015 – Stood in the Labour leadership election, finishing fourth.
5. 2020‑2023 – Shadow Minister for Social Care.
6. 2023‑2024 – Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
7. July 2024 – Appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
8. 5 September 2025 – Appointed Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Liz Kendall?

What Does Her Appointment Mean for UK Science Policy?

Liz Kendall’s move from Work and Pensions to Science, Innovation and Technology represents a significant cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It signals a prioritisation of technology and innovation in the government’s agenda. Her background in social care and welfare policy contrasts with her new portfolio, raising questions about her expertise in science and technology. Nonetheless, her long tenure as MP for Leicester West (since 2010) gives her strong local constituency ties and parliamentary experience.

Where to Find Reliable Information About Liz Kendall

For official biographical details and current responsibilities, the most authoritative source is her GOV.UK profile. The UK Parliament website also provides contact details, voting records, and committee memberships. For a broader overview, Wikipedia offers a neutral biography. Her professional background is also summarised on LinkedIn, while her Facebook page provides updates on her constituency work.

For policy‑related context, two articles worth exploring are the details on Winter Fuel Payments Pensioners and the Universal Credit 2025 Boost Details, both of which relate to her previous work as Work and Pensions Secretary.

Summary: Key Takeaways About Liz Kendall

Liz Kendall is a Labour MP for Leicester West who has served in the House of Commons since 2010. After a period on the opposition frontbench and a brief tenure as Work and Pensions Secretary, she was appointed Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology in September 2025, making her one of the most influential figures in the government’s technology and innovation agenda. Her career has spanned health, social care, welfare reform, and now science policy, reflecting a broad and evolving portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liz Kendall