Along with the coronation of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, the new PM has also disclosed the in’s and out’s for his new set of cabinet ministers.
Notable ministers following in the footsteps of Kier Starmer include Rachel Reeves, who wept in parliament recently as Starmer took part in his final PMQs. Steve Reed and David Lammy join Reeves as notable appointments of Starmer’s government who have also now been replaced.
Matthew Pennycook MP will retain his position as Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), a positive sign for those in the housing sector who over recent years have been calling for a true sense of stability following a turbulent period for the role that saw four different housing ministers in 2022 alone.
READ MORE: Will the Prime Minister rip up the broken affordable housing model?
Colin Brown, Head of Planning & Development at Carter Jonas said: “It is encouraging to see Matthew Pennycook MP retained as Minister of State at MHCLG and, importantly, attending Cabinet meetings. This sends a positive signal about the priority being given to housing and planning reform at the heart of Government.
“With the UK continuing to face a significant housing shortage, sustained ministerial leadership will be essential if meaningful progress is to be made on increasing housing supply and accelerating delivery.
“The Government’s focus on affordable housing and the likely expansion of council-led housing delivery is both welcome and necessary. However, it is equally important that policy provides hope and opportunity for first-time buyers and the many households who are working hard but finding home ownership increasingly out of reach amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.”
Burnham’s cabinet will also see the return of a familiar face as Angela Rayner resumes her previous role of Housing Secretary. Rayner resigned last year following controversy surrounding underpaying stamp duty on a property purchase, a case for which she was cleared of any deliberate wrongdoing in May. Considering Burnham’s focus on expanding council housebuilding, the re-appointment of Rayner isn’t a massive shock as the importance of council and social housing has been a core pillar of Rayner’s political career.
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, who sits on the expert advisory group to the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping said:
“It is extremely encouraging to see housing and homelessness so high on the new Government’s agenda.
“We welcome the return of Angela Rayner as Secretary of State, and look forward to seeing her build on the foundations that were established in her previous tenure. Through the championing of the Renters Rights Act, the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, and starting the process that led to the National Plan to End Homelessness, we have already seen a commitment from Angela Rayner to tackling homelessness, and we now look forward to working with her to deliver on the much needed ambitions that the new Prime Minister has set out.
“Homeless Link’s member organisations – who provide vital services to people experiencing homelessness up and down the country – stand ready to help with long-term solutions to prevent and end homelessness for good.”
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP is another especially relevant appointment, taking up the mantle of Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. She replaces Ed Miliband, who will now hold the position of foreign secretary. Fahnbulleh is a staunch supporter of the UK’s move away from fossil fuels, and has been vocal in her call for a more urgent response to the current climate crisis. Following a victorious wave of local election wins, Reform UK have been vocal in their desire to derail net-zero initiatives and several councils have slashed funding for the transition to green energy. For now, Fahnbulleh’s appointment will provide security to the UK’s commitment to greener energy, even as support seems to rise for an outwardly opposite philosophy.
Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said of the appountments:
“The North needs stability and certainty to tackle the scale of the housing challenge—and these appointments provide that. Each Minister brings recent, hands-on experience of working with the sector, alongside a clear understanding of the North, regeneration, and the power of devolution. We particularly welcome the news that Matthew Pennycook MP will now attend Cabinet, giving housing the stronger voice it needs at the top table. We look forward to continuing to work with the new Ministers to make sure more people in the North have access to a good quality, affordable home in place they’re proud of.”
