Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is a ministerial office in the Government of the United Kingdom. Excluding the prime minister, the chancellor is the highest ranking minister in the Cabinet Office, immediately after the Prime Minister, and senior to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. The role includes as part of its duties the administration of the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster.

United Kingdom
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Arms of the Duchy of Lancaster
Flag of the Duchy of Lancaster
Incumbent
Oliver Dowden
since 25 October 2022 (2022-10-25)
StyleThe 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
NominatorPrime Minister of the United Kingdom
AppointerThe Monarch
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holderSir Henry de Haydock
Formation1361
Deputy
  • Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • Paymaster General
Salary£159,038 per annum (2022)
(including £86,584 MP salary)
Websitewww.duchyoflancaster.co.uk

Formally, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the prime minister, and is answerable to Parliament for the governance of the Duchy. In modern times, however, the involvement of the chancellor in the running of the day-to-day affairs of the Duchy is slight, and the office is held by a senior politician whose main role is usually quite different. In practical terms, it is a sinecure, allowing the prime minister to appoint an additional minister without portfolio to the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. In September 2021 the role was endowed with responsibility for advising the prime minister on policy development and implementation, particularly around Brexit.

The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

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