Esther McVey replaces Kit Malthouse

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Esther McVey 
Role: Housing minister
Constituency: Tatton
Replaces: Kit Malthouse

Biography: Former TV presenter McVey entered parliament in the 2010 general election as MP for Wirral West, losing that seat in the 2015 general election, before returning to the House of Commons two years later to represent Tatton, ex-chancellor George Osborne’s old seat. She worked in various roles in the Department for Work and Pensions before becoming secretary of state last year until she resigned in November in protest at former prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit withdrawal agreement. McVey ran for leadership of the Conservatives after Theresa May announced her intention to step down in April but left the race after the first round, having secured only nine votes from her among her fellow Tory colleagues.

What it means for construction: She has, on paper at least, first-hand experience in the construction industry, having been a director of her father’s Liverpool-based building company JG McVey from 2000 to 2006. As DWP secretary she was quizzed by MPs investigating the collapse of Carillion.

Industry reaction: Of McVey’s appointment to housing minister, Sarah McMonagle, director of communications at the Federation of Master Builders, said: “We welcome warmly Esther McVey in her position as the new housing minister, albeit the 10th in 10 years, given her background in construction.”

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