Jenrick dismissed from housing in cabinet reshuffle

Robert Jenrick has been dismissed as secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, after over two years in the role. The move comes amid a wider cabinet reshuffle from prime minister Boris Johnson. Jenrick had been spearheading a number of reforms to housing – with an overhaul of the planning system, renters’ reform and changes to leasehold and building safety all underway. During his tenure he was also embroiled in high-profile controversy, following his approval of Richard Desmond’s £1bn Westferry Printworks just days before local authority Tower Hamlets was to introduce a new CIL regime that would cost the developer £40m. Jenrick was appointed housing secretary in July 2019, replacing James Brokenshire, who held the role for a little over a year. Jenrick was the UK’s youngest MP and entered parliament as MP for Newark, following a by-election in June 2014. Jenrick wrote on Twitter: “It’s been a huge privilege to serve as Secretary of State @mhclg. Thank you to everyone at the department for their hard work, dedication and friendship. I’m deeply proud of all we achieved.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@eg.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @EGPropertyNews Photo © Tejas Sandhu/SOPA Images/Shutterstock