A Cabinet for Housing
There is, understandably, much written about the new Prime Minister and what he stands for. There has been talk about Manchesterism and a flurry of high profile small ticket announcements which seem to signal the priority of the Government: cost of living, boosting hospitality and irradicating rough sleeping.
Recent statements from across the housing sector reflect excitement in the early commitment around homelessness and the composition of the cabinet.
John Healey’s appointment as Chancellor was a shock to the media and immediately was taken as good news for the defence industry and the military. However, his first ministerial role was in 2009 under Gordon Brown covering Housing and Planning. John led the post-crash social housing boom; a Keynesian strategy aimed at boosting the economy. The lead in times for housing meant that the beneficiaries of his largess was the Coalition (as well as the people housed). In 2009 he stated, “Last month, I announced grants for 49 successful councils, that, in this financial year, will start the biggest council building programme in this country for nearly two decades.”
A quote which reflects the views and statements of his new boss. After four years away from the role, he reprised his housing role as Labour’s housing shadow championing social housing when it had almost been completely supplanted by ‘affordable’ homes. He told Inside Housing in 2014, “What I found is you can leave the housing brief behind. But you can’t leave housing behind. It gets under your skin – gets into your soul almost.”
However, John’s appointment also comes alongside the return of Angela Rayner, who was the Secretary of State that gave the largest boost to social housing since the Healey boost in 2009. Housing associations are currently waiting for Homes England to release their share of the £39bn fund. Rayner is credited to battling to the last to squeeze every last penny out of the parsimonious Treasury. Her passion for the sector as someone who grew up in council housing was always evident.
Not a new appointment but a retention of Matthew Pennycook has also been celebrated by the sector. Pennycook has demonstrated enormous energy coupled with a deep understanding of the complexity of the housing system as Housing Minister. Continuity in a role which has a dreadful reputation for temporary occupants is a huge relief. The role has been elevated to attendance at the cabinet.
Housing has been a strong element of Andy Burnham’s offer and vision (and his tenure in Greater Manchester) and he has assembled a team which has the passion, the status, and the experience to drive it forward.
