Michael Gove MP has replaced Robert Jenrick MP as local government’s Secretary of State in a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle, and has been put in charge of the Government’s levelling-up agenda.
Nadhim Zahawi MP was promoted from vaccines minister to Education Secretary, and there were other changes to the ministerial team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) – which will become the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson met Mr Gove the day after his appointment, to congratulate him on his appointment and start discussions about the forthcoming Spending Review and the central/local relationship, as Mr Gove drives forward the Government’s levelling-up ambitions.
Cllr Jamieson said: “This has been an incredibly difficult period for councils and communities and we thank Robert Jenrick for the support he has given to local government during the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 crisis has shown what can be achieved when government empowers councils to innovate and create new services locally.
“We look forward to working with Michael Gove to ensure councils are backed with the resources and freedoms they need to build back local from the pandemic, level up communities and deliver more for our residents and communities.”
Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch MP joins MHCLG as the Minister for Levelling Up, a new responsibility for the department. Neil O’Brien MP has also joined the MHCLG ministerial team, but details of his responsibilities are yet to be confirmed. Luke Hall has left his role as Local Government Minister.
Elsewhere, Nadine Dorries MP is the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, while former Minister for Local Government and Regional Growth, Simon Clarke MP returns to the Government as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.