It's a new year, which makes now the perfect time to get acquainted with the Government's housing-related roles. The positions are currently filled by those appointed in July 2024 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This means they've already had a few months to establish themselves and make headway in their responsibilities.
It is imperative to become familiar with these names for future updates that will impact the housing sector.
What is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government?
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) was previously known as the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities under the Conservative Government. It is a ministerial department that works to make homes affordable, rebuild local governments, and give power back to communities. It is supported by 16 public bodies and agencies.
Its ministers are as follows:
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Angela Rayner is the current Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and she chairs the board of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
This ministerial role's responsibilities include strategic oversight of the department's business, acting as minister for inter-governmental relations, and public appointments.
This is the position previously held by Michael Gove from 2022 to 2024.
Minister of State for Housing and Planning
Matthew Pennycook is the current Minister of State for Housing and Planning, a mid-level position in the MHCLG.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Democracy and Local Growth
Alex Norris currently holds the position of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Democracy and Local Growth. He has been the MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley (and its predecessor, Nottingham North) since June 2017.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety and Homelessness
Rushanara Ali MP holds this position. She has been the MP for Bethnal Green and Stepney (and its predecessor, Bethnal Green and Bow) since May 2010.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage was appointed in this role and as a Baroness in Waiting (Government Whip).
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Kevin Hollinrake is the current shadow secretary, a position with the UK Opposition's Shadow Cabinet. If the opposition party forms a new government, the designated person is likely to become the new secretary of state for housing, communities, and local government.
Get caught up on the government's housing policy and plans for this year.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee scrutinises the policy, administration and spending of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It is made up of MPs from across the House of Commons.
Its current members are:
Florence Eshalomi MP, Labour, Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Mike Amesbury MP, Independent, Runcorn and Helsby
Lewis Cocking MP, Conservative, Broxbourne
Chris Curtis MP, Labour, Milton Keynes North
Lee Dillon MP, Liberal Democrat, Newbury
Maya Ellis MP, Labour, Ribble Valley
Will Forster MP, Liberal Democrat, Woking
Naushabah Khan MP, Labour, Gillingham and Rainham
Gagan Mohindra MP, Conservative, South West Hertfordshire
Joe Powell MP, Labour, Kensington and Bayswater
Sarah Smith MP, Labour, Hyndburn
You can see its membership with full details, events, publications and latest news here.
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