Who is the New Housing Secretary Simon Clarke?

Posted by Mesa Financial on 14th September 2022 -

It’s that time of the year again where we appoint a new housing secretary. The fourth in just under a year has to set a new record.

Following his appointment, Clarke tweeted: “Delivering on Levelling Up for communities in all parts of our country, unlocking the homes we need and supporting the economic growth that is so central to @trussliz’s Government is our mission – will give it my all.

The 37-year-old grew up in Marton, a village in Warwickshire. He unsuccessfully stood in the 2015 general election as the Conservative candidate for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland but was successful in the 2017 general election, winning the seat from Labour after the sitting MP, Tom Blenkinsop, stood down. 

Simon Clarke was appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 6 September 2022. He was appointed previously appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 15 September 2021 to 6 September 2022. Simon Clarke was previously appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 13 February 2020. He was previously Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury from 27 July 2019 to 13 February 2020.

He has publicly supported regeneration projects, particularly in the North. In May, he tweeted that it would be a “disaster for the Conservatives” if “we do not build the homes we need, where we need them”. 

“But much, much more importantly, it will be a disaster for generations of people who will not be able to own a good home,” he said. 

What we certainly know is there needs to be more assistance for first time buyers, especially in London and the South east as capital values are out of reach for so many first-time buyers.

It’s also clear that that the new minister needs to urgently address the rental housing supply crisis. Uncertainty over reforms to the private rented sector are leading landlords to consider or actually leave the market. The only impact this seems to be creating is an increase in rents and making it more onerous for renters that have a desire to eventually own their own home.

Hopefully I'm not writing the same article in another six months.

 

Chris Treadwell - Senior Associate