New ministerial line-up at DCLG revealed
The new ministerial team at DCLG has been unveiled following last week’s cabinet reshuffle.
John Healey has been promoted to housing minister, but all other ministers in the department have been replaced.
Shahid Malik, Sarah McCarthy-Fry and Ian Austin join as junior ministers.
Mr Malik’s appointment comes hours after he was cleared of breaching the ministerial code over his housing arrangements. The MP for Dewsbury stepped down last month while an investigation took place.
Rosie Winterton will hold a joint ministerial post at DCLG and the newly formed business, innovation and skills department. Her new title is reported to be minister of state for regional economic development and cooperation.
Baroness Andrews, former under secretary of state at DCLG, has been appointed as the new chair of English Heritage.
Iain Wright, former junior housing minister, has been moved to the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
The new team will be headed up by John Denham, former secretary of state for Innovation, Universities and Skills. He was appointed to replace Hazel Blears, who resigned last week. Former housing minister Margaret Becket also resigned last week, to be replaced by John Healey.
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) welcomed the new appointments but called for the department to place a new focus on climate change, social justice and housing shortages.
Gideon Amos, TCPA chief executive, said: ‘The housing and planning experience in latest ministerial appointments made today are welcomed by the TCPA. The issues of climate change and massive housing challenges in a recession urgently wait attention.’
Mr Malik has a strong background in regeneration, having previously been chief executive of Haringey Regeneration Agency and chair of Urban Forum.
Ms McCarthy-Fry has experience of both central and local government, having worked for Portsmouth Council from 1994 to 2002, while Mr Austin has a background in housing.
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