Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is the first Asian leader the UK has ever had and is also one of the youngest – but what else do we need to know about him? His background, age, and where he is from are revealed.
Background
Born on 12th May 1980, Rishi is currently 42 years old. (Year 2023)
He has been a member of parliament since 2015 where he was an MP for Richmond and has served in roles including Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Chancellor of Exchequer while Boris Johnson was PM.
As the Chancellor during the coronavirus pandemic, some of his most recognized work is the furlough scheme and the Eat Out To Help Out program.
Following his education, Rishi worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs before moving into hedge fund management and becoming a partner in The Children’s Investment Fund Management.
When he was 29, he also helped start a private investment firm called Theleme Partners and has worked with his father-in-law, and billionaire N.R Narayana Murthy, as a director of Catamaran Ventures.
Rishi Sunak officially became the UK’s new prime minister following Liz Truss’ shock resignation after just 45 days.
During his short reign so far he has had to deal with the cost of living crisis, soaring energy bills, and adapting the Northern Ireland Protocol as part of a fresh Brexit deal.
Following a tough time for politics, Rishi has also faced growing demands for pay rises across industries including the NHS and trains, and will continue to deal with plenty of backlash and criticism.
Rishi is originally from Southampton but now has a portfolio of impressive houses including his large home in Kensington.
During family breaks, Rishi and his family retreat to their Manor House in North Yorkshire. They also own a property in Santa Monica, California, and a flat in central London.
Rishi is 1.7m which is 5ft 7inches in height. The PM’s height has become quite the talking point for many who follow his career as he falls just below the average height for a man in the UK.
Mr Sunak studied at the prestigious Winchester College Oxford where he read Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He then took his education a step further and went to California to earn an MBA as a Fulbright Scholar. He did this at Ivy League college, Stanford University.
Born to Hindu parents of Punjabi descent, Rishi’s father is Yashvir and his mother is Usha.
Yashvir was born and raised in Kenya and worked as a general practitioner in the NHS, while his mum was born in Tanzania and worked as a pharmacist and running a local pharmacy.
The MP is the eldest of three siblings.
Rishi married his wife, Akshata Murthy, in 2009 and they had a two-day wedding ceremony in Bangalore. She runs her own fashion label, Akshata Designs, and is also a director of a venture capital firm founded by her dad.
Akshata is the daughter of billionaire N.R. Narayana Murty, a co-founder of the IT company Infosys.
Together the couple have two daughters, Krishna and Anoushka.
Policies
When Sunak was running against Liz Truss for PM following Boris Johnson’s resignation, Rishi put immigration and the NHS at the top of his agenda. However, he now has more of a financial crisis on his hands.
He has committed to the UK’s Rwanda scheme and has hinted at replicating this scheme in other countries.
Sunak has also spoken of linking migration with foreign policy – countries who collaborate with the UK on the return of migrants would be rewarded with aid, trade, and visas.
Another proposed idea is to charge the public £10 for missed GP appointments in order to help the huge NHS backlog following the pandemic.
Previously, Rishi was a strong leaver for Brexit and has always voted in favour of tightening immigration laws and raising the higher rate tax bracket.
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Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Union, and Minister for the Civil Service
The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP
Contents
Biography
Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister on 25 October 2022.
He was previously appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer from 13 February 2020 to 5 July 2022.
He was Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 24 July 2019 to 13 February 2020, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government from 9 January 2018 to 24 July 2019.
Education
Rishi went to Winchester College and studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Oxford University. He was also a Fulbright Scholar at Stanford University (USA) where he studied for his MBA.
Political career
Rishi was elected Conservative MP for Richmond (Yorks) in May 2015 and served as a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from June 2017 until his ministerial appointment.
Career before politics
Rishi spent his professional career before politics in business and finance, working internationally. He co-founded an investment firm working with companies in multiple geographies. He then used that experience to help small and entrepreneurial British companies grow.
Personal life
Rishi is married with two young daughters.
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the leader of His Majesty’s Government and is ultimately responsible for the policy and decisions of the government.
As leader of the UK government the Prime Minister also:
- oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies
- chooses members of the government
- is the principal government figure in the House of Commons
As Minister for the Union, the Prime Minister works to ensure that all of the government is acting on behalf of the entire United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Cabinet Office and Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
First Lord of the Treasury
The First Lord of the Treasury is one of the Lord’s Commissioners of the Treasury. This role is usually held by the Prime Minister.
Since the 17th century, the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have collectively carried out duties that were previously held by the Lord High Treasurer (head of His Majesty’s Treasury).
The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury also include:
- the Second Lord of the Treasury – the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has most of the functional financial responsibilities
- Junior Lords Commissioners of the Treasury – other members of the government, usually government whips in the House of Commons
10 Downing Street is the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, and not of the Prime Minister.
Cabinet Office and Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Minister for the Union
As Minister for the Union, the Prime Minister works to ensure that all of the government is acting on behalf of the entire United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Cabinet Office and Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Minister for the Civil Service
The Minister for the Civil Service is responsible for regulating the Civil Service.
The Civil Service (Management Functions) Act of 1992, allows the Minister for the Civil Service to delegate power to other ministers and devolved administrations.
This role was created in 1968 and is always held by the Prime Minister.
Previous roles in government
- Chancellor of the Exchequer
- 2020 to 2022
- Chief Secretary to the Treasury
- 2019 to 2020
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Local Government)
- 2018 to 2019
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