15 May 2015 Briefing: May 2015 reshuffle An outline of the key appointments in Government and the Opposition Contact name: Gabrielle Wain Lion Court Job title: Public Affairs Officer 25 Procter Street Direct line: 0207 067 1029 London WC1V 6NY Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.housing.org.uk 1. Introduction This briefing provides members with an analysis of the May 2015 reshuffle and outlines what is currently known about the contents of the Queen’s Speech which is due to take place on 27 May and will set out the new Government’s legislative programme. The briefing also gives more detail on the Ministers appointed in the departments of note to housing associations, along with their counterparts in the Opposition. 2. Reshuffle analysis In the week commencing 11 May 2015, David Cameron announced the people making up the first Conservative Cabinet in 18 years, and set a clear mandate for decisions to be guided by social justice and compassion. Overall, the Prime Minister’s first Cabinet aimed to reflect a “down to earth” Conservative agenda, which will offer people "the chance to get on, with the dignity of a job, the pride of a pay cheque, a home of their own and the security and peace of mind that comes from being able to support a family". We are, of course, pleased that David Cameron referenced housing in his first Cabinet address. This clearly follows on from the focus housing was afforded by all the political parties during the General Election campaign, which was not least thanks to the dedication housing associations and other organisations have shown to the Homes for Britain campaign. Some media outlets speculate that the new Cabinet reflects David Cameron’s wish to position the Conservatives more strongly as the party of working people, with 43% of new ministers having attended comprehensive schools (compared to 21% in 2010). Others have also pointed out that promotions for ethnic minority MPs Priti Patel and Sajid Javid and a third of Cabinet appointments being awarded to women could reflect Cameron’s wish to be inclusive and moderate in political style. With the voting public returning a majority Government, this week’s Cabinet reshuffle was perhaps easier that the Prime Minister might have originally thought. However, you may have noticed that there was one appointment whose announcement didn’t go quite as smoothly as planned – that of the Housing Minister. Having announced Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, as the Minister with responsibility for housing, Inside Housing later reported that this had been done ‘in error.’ Brandon Lewis MP was later confirmed as continuing in the role, which he has held since July last year. Mr Lewis has since spoken of his plan to focus on delivering homes and the Federation will continue our discussion with him on the role housing associations can play in his plans. Aside from Mr Lewis, it’s all change in the Department of Communities and Local Government with Eric Pickles being replaced by Greg Clark. Mr Clark’s promotion is thought to suggest a move towards greater devolution. The new Secretary of State held a series of ministerial posts Contact name: Gabrielle Wain Lion Court Job title: Public Affairs Officer 25 Procter Street Direct line: 0207 067 1029 London WC1V 6NY Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.housing.org.uk under the coalition government, all of which were built around his knowledge of decentralisation and economic growth in cities. Mr Clark will be supported by Mark Francois at Minister of State, James Wharton as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (both of whose responsibilities are yet to be announced) and Marcus Jones as junior ministers with responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse. In opposition, Labour also announced some changes to top posts, including a promotion for Chris Leslie to Chancellor following Ed Balls’ defeat at the election. Hilary Benn MP makes a move from Shadow Secretary for Communities and Local Government to Shadow Foreign Secretary, allowing Emma Reynolds to be promoted to the role from her post as Shadow Housing Minister. Labour will now also embark of a Leadership election process, which will reach a conclusion in September. Liz Kendall, Chuka Umunna, Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper have all announced they will stand for the Party’s top position. You can read a list of the appointments already made to Government here and a full list of the shadow ministerial team here. The Federation’s Public Affairs Team has already begun engaging with the new Government with letters and briefings and they will keep you updated on our lobbying work as it progresses in these first months of the 2015-2020 parliament. 3. The Queen’s Speech The new Cabinet’s legislative programme will be announced in full at the Queen’s Speech on 27 May. While we’ll have to wait until the speech to know its exact contents, it is rumoured that the following legislation could be put forward: • A Cities Devolution Bill, to devolve housing, transport, planning and policing to English cities • A bill on youth employment • Bills to abolish the Human Rights Act The Federation will provide a member briefing on the contents of the Queen’s Speech shortly after it is delivered on 27 May. 4. Communities and Local Government appointments Government: • Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells) is promoted to Secretary of State. This is not his first stint in the department, having served as a Minister of State from 2010-12 with responsibility for decentralisation. • Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) continues as Housing Minister. A former lawyer, Lewis was leader of Brentwood Council from 2004-2009 having served as a councillor since 1998. Contact name: Gabrielle Wain Lion Court Job title: Public Affairs Officer 25 Procter Street Direct line: 0207 067 1029 London WC1V 6NY Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.housing.org.uk • Mark Francois (Rayleigh and Wickford) joins Brandon Lewis as Minister of State, but his responsibilities have not yet been confirmed. He moves from his previous role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence. • Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) has been appointed junior minister, with responsibility for local government. He previously served as PPS to Sajid Javid. • James Wharton (Stockton South) will be the second junior minister in the department, with responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse – the Government’s plan to close the economic gap between the North and the South of the country. • Baroness Williams of Trafford has also been appointed junior minister, but her responsibilities are yet to be announced. Opposition: • Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) has been promoted to Shadow Secretary of State for CLG, having previously served as Shadow Housing Minister. Reynolds is a former Labour Special Advisor. Labour have not announced a replacement for Ms Reynolds’ former role. 5. Work and Pensions appointments Government: • Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green) continues in the role as Secretary of State and will continue to oversee the role out of Universal Credit. • Priti Patel (Witham) will take on the role of Employment Minister following Esther McVey’s defeat at the General Election. Ms Patel will be attending Cabinet, a reflection of the importance of the role to the Conservative agenda. • Lord Freud also stays in the department, but with a promotion to Minister of State level, continuing his responsibility for welfare reform. • Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) has been given the junior Ministerial role of Minister for Disabled People, with responsibility for child poverty, independent living and disability benefits. • Dr Ros Altman CBE (a member of the House of Lords) has been appointed as Minister of State for Pensions. Opposition: • Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) continues in her role as Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. A former Bank of England economist, Reeves was previously Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Contact name: Gabrielle Wain Lion Court Job title: Public Affairs Officer 25 Procter Street Direct line: 0207 067 1029 London WC1V 6NY Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.housing.org.uk 6. Treasury appointments Government: • George Osborne (Tatton) will continue as Chancellor • Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) has been given the role of Chief Secretary to the Treasury, previously held by Danny Alexander. • Harriet Baldwin (West Worcestershire) becomes the City Minister • Damien Hinds (East Hampshire)is the new Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. • Jim O’Neill has been given a Peerage and a new role replacing Lord Deighton as Commercial Secretary to the Treasury. Previously Chair of the Cities Growth Commission in 2014, O’Neill’s responsibilities will include city devolution and infrastructure. Opposition: • Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) is promoted to take on Ed Balls former role as Shadow Chancellor • Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham Ladywood) has been appointed to his previous role of Shadow Chief Secretary. 7. Cabinet Office appointments Government: • Oliver Letwin (West Dorset) is promoted to take overall control at the Cabinet Office in his role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, having served as Minister for Government Policy under the previous administration. • Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) takes on the Minister of State role, with responsibility for efficiency and civil service reform. • Rob Wilson (Reading East) continues in his role as Minister for Civil Society, with responsibility for social enterprise and social investment. • John Penrose (Weston-super-Mare) will be the Parliamentary Secretary in the department, having previously served as Government Whip. • Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell) also moves to this department as Lord President of the Council, having previously held the role of Pensions Minister. Opposition: • Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) continues in her role as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office.