The secretary of state for employment was a position in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. In 1995, it was merged with secretary of state for education to make the secretary of state for education and employment. In 2001, the employment functions were hived off and transferred to the secretary of state for social security to form the secretary of state for work and pensions.

The office was merged with the Department of Social Security to form the Department for Work and Pensions in 2001.