Greg Clark appointed housing secretary

Greg Clark has been appointed housing secretary, returning to head up the department he previously ran under the Cameron government.

Clark’s appointment was confirmed by Number 10 following the dramatic sacking of Michael Gove last night.

He previously held the equivalent role of communities and local government secretary under the Cameron administration from May 2015, before being moved on when Theresa May became prime minister a little over a year later. He notably agreed a deal with housing associations to voluntarily implement the extension of Right to Buy in 2015

Clark’s appointment by Boris Johnson may prove to be short lived however, as Johnson is facing calls to step down as prime minister now, rather than in the autumn following a Conservative leadership contest.

The appointment of Clark follows news that Johnson is expected to resign, the sacking of Michael Gove as housing secretary and a flood of resignations, including that of housing minister Stuart Andrew.

Housing industry experts have this morning spoken of their concern that crucial planning reforms may be put on hold amid the turmoil

Paul Smith, MD of land trading firm Strategic Land Group, said: “Whether or not you agree with the contents of the levelling up Bill, at least it promised to bring the debate to a close.

“The expectation of imminent planning reform over the last two and half years has been a crucial factor in the planning system grinding to a halt as - entirely understandably - local authorities have delayed their local plans until they knew what the new system would require them to do.”