News
Property Industry Reacts to ‘Revolving Door of Housing Ministers’ in Wake of Rachel Maclean’s Sacking
Monday 13th November 2023
Property Eye - Marc Da Silva
The property industry has responded to the announcement that prime minister Rishi Sunak has this afternoon asked Rachel Maclean to resign as housing minister as part of his cabinet reshuffle.
Maclean posted a statement on X formerly known as Twitter a short while ago confirming her departure.
It read: “I’ve been asked to step down from my role as housing minister. Disappointed and was looking forward to introducing the Renters Reform Bill to committee tomorrow and later the Leasehold and Freehold Bill. It has been a privilege to hold the position and I wish my successor well.”
Maclean was appointed to the role on 7 February 2023 and previously served as justice minister between 7 September and 28 October 2022.
The prime minister began a reshuffle earlier today after dismissing home secretary Suella Braverman.
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has indicated his support for Maclean by sharing a message posted by business secretary Kemi Badenoch.
Badenoch told Maclean: “You were an excellent, minister, always attentive to MPs and their constituents and got some very tricky legislation over the line.”
The next housing minister will be the 16th person to hold the role since the 2010 general election.
Industry reactions:
Simon Gerrard, Managing director of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents, said: “It comes as a great disappointment, but frankly little surprise, that the housing brief has yet again changed hands within this government. There will be a collective groan of ‘here we go again’ from those of us working in the property sector, and indeed anybody with a vested interest in the housing market. We’re now onto our 16th housing minister since the government came into power 13 years ago. How can any long-term progress be made on reforming our planning system, solving the housing crisis, and ensuring our children have homes to live in when we have such a shockingly high turn-over of ministers tasked with tackling these issues?
“I’m beginning to question the point of having a ministry supposedly dedicated to building new homes, when in reality, providing people with places to live clearly couldn’t be further down the list of priorities for this government. The department is frankly a joke, and it is regrettable that the punchline is that this country remains in desperate need of new homes. I hope that at some point we will actually see a housing minister remain in post for the length of time it takes for a planning application to build a new home to get through our planning system. For now, it seems, I remain hoping in vain.”
Melanie Leech, chief executive of British Property Federation, commented: “The revolving door of housing ministers has turned once more. For a sector that thrives on certainty and wants to see a long-term plan for housing, such discontinuity in personnel is a significant concern and actively undermines investment and long-term commitment across the sector.
”The government is facing numerous challenges in reviving stalling housing supply, plus delivering the critical infrastructure required for future economic growth and carbon reduction. To meet those challenges, we require political stability and continuity in decision-making.
Nick Sanderson, CEO of Audley Group, said: “The appointment of David Cameron to the Cabinet might garner the headlines, but it shouldn’t detract from revolving door that is the UK’s Housing Minister. Rachel Maclean being relieved of the role means we are due the 16th Housing Minister since 2010, and the seventh in just two years. The housing market needs reform, and that’s difficult to achieve without any kind of stability. Lack of in-depth knowledge about the housing market leads to knee jerk decisions to increase housing supply and focus on first time buyers, rather than holistic possibilities that increase supply and flow within the market. Let’s hope the next appointment is the last for a while so the focus can turn from personalities to real progress.”
Whilst we await the news of the next appointment, it is business as usual here at AFFINITY. If you have a property to rent out or are looking for a block manager for your estate, look no further, contact is today! 01908 639098