Shuffled in – Yet another new Housing Minister
In a very minor Cabinet re-shuffle, Chris Pincher was replaced by Stuart Andrew MP for Pudsey as Minister of State (Minister for Housing) in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Stuart is what could be termed as an accidental landlord with a house in Leeds let for over £10,000 a year recorded in the MPs’ register of interests.
in 2016 Stuart rebelled with 71 other Tory MPs voting against an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill requiring private landlords to make their homes ‘fit for human habitation’.
His constituency website declares saving green spaces as a priority and campaigned against a 70,000 property local development stating: “I will continue to work with local residents and community groups to save green spaces that are under threat of development thanks to Leeds Labour Council. We need to preserve these sites for future generations to enjoy.”
He also starts his new role as the finishing touches need to be applied to the much delayed Renters Reform White Paper.
Stuart was previously Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip) from 13 February 2020 to 8 February 2022 and Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Government Whip) from 28 July 2019 to 13 February 2020. He was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Defence Procurement at the Ministry of Defence from July 2018 to July 2019.
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Member Since June 2014 - Comments: 1562
10:14 AM, 9th February 2022, About 4 years ago
in 2016 Stuart rebelled with 71 other Tory MPs voting against an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill requiring private landlords to make their homes ‘fit for human habitation’.
Reasons given for voting against were;
“unnecessary regulation” as “councils already have strong enough powers” and that it would “deter further investment and push up rents for tenants.”
With the hindsight of how few prosecutions there have been once it did get through, it looks like they called it right.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 452
2:05 PM, 9th February 2022, About 4 years ago
It’s reassuring to know that housing is taken so seriously. ONLY 20 ministers in 23 years! So a long term plan then? “New minister is Stuart Andrew who, in the best traditions of reshuffles, has no experience of the industry other than being a BTL landlord” (accidental).
FB says he voted against cutting the vat on energy and on the environment levies (and charges for energy companies going bust). Much to the ire of his constituents posting replies.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 194 - Articles: 1
5:04 PM, 9th February 2022, About 4 years ago
It’s a temporary post in a temporary government with a temporary leader.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3237 - Articles: 81
7:51 AM, 10th February 2022, About 4 years ago
No stability,
How can u come in & advise Landlords who’s been doing same job for 25 years, when these Housing Ministers get swapped every year.
Member Since August 2014 - Comments: 336
10:50 AM, 12th February 2022, About 4 years ago
This seems like a good appointment for Landlords. If he rents a house out as an accidental landlord then he must have some appreciation of the disproportionate vilification of landlords by media and politicans alike.
Hopefully he has a mortgage on the rental property, so being a higher rate tax payer he will appreciate the pain of Section 21.
Member Since September 2016 - Comments: 20
8:44 PM, 12th February 2022, About 4 years ago
So the revolving door keeps spinning and another housing minister appears,
Doesn’t matter if he is any good or not, he won’t last any longer. Some are in and out like a lightening flash e.g. Gavin Barwell, who’s presence wasn’t even noticed. He was passing through waiting for Theresa May to show him the House of Lords gravy train and escape any responsibilities during Grenfell.