The shadow secretary of state is the opposite number to the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, holding them and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to account.

They are the lead opposition spokesperson on culture, media and sport issues.

In 2010, the government merged the offices of the shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport and minister for the Olympics, establishing the secretary of state for culture, olympics, media and sport.

The department and secretary of state changed their titles to Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in 2017, and the opposition followed suit.

The department reverted to the name Culture, Media and Sport in February 2023.