Claire Coutinho (2004, Mathematics and Philosophy) becomes Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

Exeter congratulates alumna Claire Coutinho MP (2004, Mathematics and Philosophy) on succeeding Grant Shapps as the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Claire Coutinho was elected the MP for East Surrey in the 2019 general election. Since then, she has served as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions and, most recently, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Education. She took up her new post on 31 August 2023.

Of the MPs to be newly elected in 2019, Claire Coutinho is the first to have been made a member of the Cabinet. She is also the youngest member of the current Cabinet.

Claire Coutinho wrote about her appointment, “I am delighted to have been appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. I will work with the Prime Minister to safeguard our energy security, reduce bills for families, and build cleaner, cheaper, homegrown energy.”