[2] The minister has oversight over skills and higher and further education, including universities and the Student Loans Company.

The role of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Research and Innovation was created out of this office.

Under Donelan's successor, Andrea Jenkyns, the position was demoted to a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State role and known as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills, Further and Higher Education.

Under the Sunak ministeries, the role was promoted back to the level of Minister of State.

[3] At certain times, the minister worked in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.