Steve Reed Appointed New Housing Secretary

Landlords have a new housing secretary after Steve Reed was confirmed in the role in a Labour government reshuffle triggered by the resignation of one of the cabinet's leading lights, Angela Rayner.

Rayner's position was considered untenable after details of a £40,000 stamp duty underpayment were leaked.

Steve Reed was environment secretary for a year but now moves to the housing role as head of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), which, given his former department's role in planning reform, is unsurprising.

Reed has extensive experience in local government as leader of Lambeth Council, South London, for six years before entering parliament as an MP in the July 2024 General Election, a clean sweep by Labour.

He departs the water and sewage sector to head another of the government's most controversial policy areas.

Royal assent

Top of the urgent report pile on his desk at MHCLG is the Renters' Rights Bill, which is due to get Royal Assent within a week, and the department's overhaul of the planning and leasehold systems.

Matthew Pennycook, who some had flagged for promotion to the secretary's job, remains as Housing and Planning minister to oversee the renting and leasehold reforms to their conclusion, and who has been praised for his grasp of the housing brief.

Reed has been supportive towards Rayner following the scandal of her stamp duty under-payment, saying: "Angela, you can be so proud of all you've achieved for our country and party.

"You knew from your own background what it's like to struggle, and you used that experience to fight for a better future for working families."

Rayner resigned from the posts of deputy prime minister, housing secretary and deputy leader of the Labour Party after admitting she had underpaid stamp duty on a second home in Hove, West Sussex.

Rayner resignation

In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, she explained she had taken advice on the tax due on the purchase, but still underpaid by £40,000 on the £800,000 seafront flat purchase.

She remains MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester.

A report by the government's independent ethics adviser found she had breached the ministerial code of conduct, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Rayner has agreed to pay the stamp duty bill in full.