The resignations of two of the big beasts of Brexit – David Davis MP and Boris Johnson MP – this week has triggered another reshuffle at the top ranks of UK Government.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government says goodbye to Dominic Raab MP, Housing Minister (January 2018 – July 2018) who has been promoted to Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. Raab will now be responsible for bringing forward the UK Government’s negotiating position with European Union, which will be outlined in the very soon to be published Brexit White Paper. The RIBA has been clear that this should include a deal for trade in services, and an ongoing agreement on Mutual Recognition on Professional Qualifications.
Commenting on the news, RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said: “Given that we are only nine months away from the UK’s formal exit from the European Union, this is an exceptionally important time for our collective future. There must be no further delays on getting the clarity and certainty we need from Government on the future deal with the European Union. This is therefore a crucial role to fill and we look forward to bringing Dominic Raab MP as the new Secretary of State for the Department for Exiting the European Union up to date with the RIBA’s well researched position.”
Replacing Dominic Raab MP as the new Housing Minister is Kit Malthouse MP. The former London Assembly Member and London Deputy Member for Policing will be picking up the soon to be published National Planning Policy Framework. He’ll also be responsible for the Ministry’s decisions relating to the Hackitt Review (read the RIBA’s response). In addition, design quality is increasingly a priority at the Ministry which we expect to continue with the newly assigned Minister.
Commenting on this, RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said: “The RIBA looks forward to working with Kit Malthouse MP in his new role…. With the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework expected later this month and ongoing work by his department aimed at improving the design of new homes, the Minister has the chance to leave his mark with a real commitment to design quality at every level.”
Moves in other parts of UK Government meant that we also have a new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in Jeremy Wright MP QC. Wright served as the Government’s Attorney General for four years. As the new Culture Secretary, Wright will be focusing on implementation of the UK Government’s Creative Industries Sector Deal, aimed at supporting growth in the creative industries across the country.
