The UK Cabinet Secretary, with Prime Ministerial approval, announced on June 11, 2026, that Dame Sarah Healey has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Healey, currently the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), will officially transition to her new role on August 1, 2026.
She replaces Sir Peter Schofield, who is concluding a distinguished 35-year career in public service, including eight years at the helm of the DWP. Schofield’s tenure was marked by the navigation of the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and the completion of the Universal Credit transformation agenda.
Strategic Reform Mandate
Healey’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for the DWP. Her mandate is centered on an ambitious reform agenda that includes modernizing the welfare system, overhauling UK pension structures, and expanding employment opportunities, with a specific focus on youth engagement. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden noted that Healey’s “outstanding record across government” makes her the ideal candidate to balance service provision with the government’s broader economic goals.
Healey brings significant institutional experience to the role. Prior to her time at MHCLG, she served as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and held the position of Director of Private Pensions at the DWP earlier in her career. This background in both pensions policy and cross-departmental leadership is expected to be instrumental as she addresses the complexities of the current welfare landscape.
Industry analysts suggest that Healey’s familiarity with the DWP’s internal mechanisms, coupled with her recent leadership experience across disparate government departments, positions her well to navigate the political and operational challenges inherent in welfare reform. Her tenure will be a five-year fixed appointment, providing a stable horizon for the implementation of the government’s long-term social security objectives.