Simon Clarke has been named as the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
He succeeds Greg Clark, whose short stint came after the extended period whereby Michael Gove was in charge of housing.
The surival of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will in itself come as a surprise to some, with Iain Duncan Smith telling Channel 4 earlier on Tuesday that he believed the “levelling up” phrase had run its course.
The Rt Hon Simon Clarke MP @SimonClarkeMP has been appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities @luhc #Reshuffle pic.twitter.com/i6rhkPDBZl
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) September 6, 2022
Commenting on his appointment, Clarke tweeted:
“It’s a huge honour to be appointed Secretary of State of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Delivering on Levelling Up for communities in all parts of our country, unlocking the homes we need and supporting the economic growth that is so central to Liz Truss’ Government is our mission – [I] will give it my all.
This is a Department that I know really well, and which I am so looking forward to returning to – the commitment and expertise of officials there on themes as diverse as homelessness, building safety and devolution is second to none.”
Clarke previously served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He previously served in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2020.
It is unclear as of now whether there will be a new Housing Minister to work alongside Clarke.
