The CIOB welcomes the appointment of the new Minister of State for Housing

It has been confirmed that The Rt Hon Esther McVey MP has been appointed as Minister of State for Housing at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Her responsibilities will include supporting the Housing Secretary on housing supply policy and building safety and regulations (including the Building Safety Programme).

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) looks forward to working with the new Minister for Housing to make sure the construction industry’s priorities are given the attention required, including a drive to improve building quality and fully implement the recommendations from the Hackitt review, along with measures to eradicate modern slavery from the industry and improve mental health support for those in construction.

Ms McVey was previously Minister of State for Work and Pensions from January to November 2018 and prior to that served as Deputy Chief Whip and Minister of State for Employment.

Jake Berry MP has also been appointed as Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government. In his previous role as Northern Powerhouse Minister, the CIOB worked closely with him as part of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and the recent recognition of the CIOB as a Northern Powerhouse champion. The CIOB will continue to work with him in his new role. 

The CIOB also welcomes Robert Jenrick MP as Secretary of State for MHCLG, with overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the department’s Building Safety Programme, established to ensure residents of high-rise buildings are safe in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.