Andy Burnham's appointments provide an opportunity to accelerate housing delivery, improve the energy efficiency of the nation's homes and support construction SMEs, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Following his installation in Downing street, the UK's latest Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, swiftly set about announcing the composition of his government, started with the members of his Cabinet.
In particular this saw the return of Angela Rayner to frontline politics as she becomes Housing Secretary. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has been elevated to Cabinet level, which would imply that Burnham considers the subject to be one of his key priorities. Finally, Miatta Fahnbulleh, replaces Ed Milliband (now Foreign Secretary) to the role of Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, commented on the appointments: "The Prime Minister has assembled a Cabinet with a number of ministers who understand both the opportunities and challenges facing the construction industry.
"We welcome the return of Angela Rayner as Housing Secretary. She knows the brief well, has an established understanding of the barriers facing housing delivery and has previously demonstrated a willingness to engage with the sector. We look forward to continuing our constructive relationship with her as the Government develops its plans for housing and growth.
"We are also pleased to see Matthew Pennycook's role as Minister for Housing and Planning elevated to Cabinet level. The FMB has long campaigned for housing to have a stronger voice at the highest levels of Government, and this appointment represents a significant victory for that campaign. Bringing the Housing Minister into Cabinet recognises the importance of housing delivery to economic growth, living standards and national prosperity. It is critical that housing remains a priority across Government.
"The appointment of Miatta Fahnbulleh as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is another encouraging sign. She has been a strong advocate for improving the energy efficiency of Britain's homes and understands the important role retrofit will play in reducing energy bills, cutting carbon emissions and improving living standards.
"As the Government develops its plans for net zero, we hope to see greater support for high-quality retrofit, alongside progress towards a mandatory licensing scheme for domestic building companies, helping to raise standards, protect consumers and give households confidence when investing in their homes."
