Rishi Sunak names his Cabinet – and Gove is back at DLUHC
Michael Gove is back as Secretary of State for Levelling-Up, Housing & Communities as Rishi Sunak appoints his new Cabinet of stability.
Michael Gove has been re-appointed to the post he lost when Boris Johnson sacked him on 6th July after just under a year in the job.
As Secretary of State for Levelling-Up, Housing & Communities, he’ll pick up where he left off with his programme of regulation of the housing sector and reform of housing planning, among other aims of the ‘levelling-up’ agenda.
His predecessor was Simon Clarke, who was appointed by Liz Truss. It’s unclear whether he was pushed or jumped – either way, he has gone after just 7 weeks in the job.
Gove’s return to DLUHC is now the 13th Secretary in the position since 2005 – albeit both he and Greg Clark will have served in the position twice.
In 12 years of Conservative government there have now been seven different Secretaries of State in the position – starting with Eric Pickles in 2010 who held the post for five years followed by brief stints from Greg Clark, Sajid Javid, James Brokenshire, Robert Jenrick, Michael Gove, Greg Clark again and latterly Simon Clarke.
“Fix the mistakes”
Gove’s return comes amid a wholesale refresh of the Cabinet by the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who was officially appointed Prime Minister by King Charles this morning at Buckingham Palace.
During a short speech outside Downing Street broadcast live by BBC News, (main picture) Sunak paid tribute to Liz Truss but said he was determined to “fix the mistakes” made by his predecessor.
He said, “Right now our country is facing a profound economic crisis. The aftermath of Covid still lingers. Putin’s war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over.
“I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda.
This will mean difficult decisions to come. But you saw me during Covid, doing everything I could, to protect people and businesses, with schemes like furlough.
“There are always limits, more so now than ever, but I promise you this. I will bring that same compassion to the challenges we face today.
“This government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level. Trust is earned. And I will earn yours.”
Sunak also promised to carry on with the Government’s levelling up agenda “building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit, where businesses invest, innovate, and create jobs.”
NEW CABINET
Jeremy Hunt will remain in his post as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Hunt was appointed chancellor under Liz Truss’s government after the former Prime Minister sacked Kwasi Kwarteng.
He backed Rishi Sunak in the Conservative leadership contest earlier this year over Liz Truss.
Dominic Raab gets Deputy PM, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, returning to the roles he had under former PM Boris Johnson.
Penny Mordaunt wasn’t given a major role, as expected, and keeps her position as Leader of the Commons.
Simon Hart has been appointed Chief Whip with sources suggesting he was present in the room for earlier sackings.
James Cleverly has been re-appointed foreign secretary while Ben Wallace remains Defence Secretary.
Gillian Keegan has been appointed Education Secretary.
Mel Stride has been given the Department of Work and Pensions.
Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed Minister without portfolio and Oliver Dowden has been reappointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Suella Braverman has been re-appointed as home secretary while Grant Shapps has been appointed new business secretary – having spent just six days as Home Secretary under Liz Truss.
Alok Sharma will remain COP26 President, though will no longer attend Cabinet.
Steve Barclay has returned to post of Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, which he held earlier this year.
Thérèse Coffey has been moved from Health and been given the post of Environment Secretary.
OLD GUARD
After he entered Downing Street a swathe of resignations and sackings soon began.
Jacob Rees-Mogg resigned as Business Secretary followed by Brandon Lewis who resigned in a Tweet as Justice Secretary. Those moves were followed by Wendy Morton who was out as Chief Whip and Vicky Ford who quit as Minister of State for Development. Chloe Smith left as Work and Pensions Secretary. Kit Malthouse was out as Education Secretary; Robert Buckland was out as Welsh Secretary and Jake Berry was out as Party Chairman. Then it was the turn of Ranil Jayawardena out as DEFRA Secretary and last to go was Simon Clarke at DLUHC.
Industry reaction
Melanie Leech, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation: “Michael Gove will be able to hit the ground running and we look forward to working with him again. The property industry is a critical partner on levelling-up and by unlocking investment we can deliver the changes we need to see in our communities up and down the country.
“This summer we lost vital time on delivering on the Government’s agenda and urgently need a consistent and steady hand on the key issues of the day – housing supply, regeneration and net zero – which are all critical to the UK’s growth ambitions and international competitiveness.”
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Propertymark: “The Levelling Up agenda and reforms to the private rented sector in England would appear to be back and will take centre stage in the new government as Michael Gove returns to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
“Mr Gove previously focussed on regional disparities and fixing the cladding scandal, but he now needs to go further and tackle the supply crisis in the private rented sector, implement the next steps for leasehold reform, set out the UK Government’s plans for home buying and selling as well engage with the sector to get more people onto the housing ladder and stimulate right sizing to release large, family homes.”
