Minister of State (Minister for Security)

The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP

Biography

Damian Hinds was appointed Minister of State (Minister for Security) on 13 August 2021.

He previously served as Secretary of State for Education from 8 January 2018 to 24 July 2019. He was elected Conservative MP for East Hampshire in May 2010.

Education

Damian attended St Ambrose Grammar School, Altrincham before completing a degree in politics, philosophy and economics.

Political career

Shortly after entering Parliament, Damian was elected to the Education Select Committee and served until October 2012. Previously he chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Mobility. He previously served as Assistant Government Whip from July 2014 until March 2015, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury from May 2015 until July 2016 and as Minister of State for the Department of Work and Pensions from July 2016 to January 2018.

Career outside politics

Damian spent 18 years working in the pubs, brewing and hotel industries, in Britain and abroad.

Personal life

Damian and his wife Jacqui have 3 young children.

Minister of State (Minister for Security)

  • counter terrorism – prepare, prevent, pursue, protect
  • serious and organised crime
  • cybercrime
  • economic crime
  • hostile state activity
  • extradition
  • royal and VIP protection
  • online harms
  • Common Travel Area
  • aviation and maritime security
  • Commons lead on transition period (named EU Exit Operations board deputy)
  • Grenfell
  • flooding/hurricane/natural disaster relief
  • functioning of the domestic national security system during COVID-19 – MI5, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP)
  • functioning of the serious and organised crime system during COVID-19 – National Crime Agency (NCA), Cyber
  • ensuring COVID-19 regulations continue to consider security (crowded places, insider threat, data retention extension)
  • oversight of fraud during COVID-19

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