Lord Callanan has been named as the brand new building minister.
The Conservative politician was appointed parliamentary undersecretary of state on the Division for Enterprise, Power and Industrial Technique (BEIS) in February 2020.
However he has now been requested to take over building tasks on a “momentary foundation”, the federal government has confirmed. It comes after the exit of Lee Rowley last week.
Lord Callanan (pictured) is one among various appointments made by outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson after a string of Tory resignations, which prompted him to give up his premiership.
The appointment of Lord Callanan was confirmed in a BEIS bulletin despatched out to companies yesterday (11 July), shared with Development Information.
Responding to the appointment, co-chair of the Development Management Council (CLC) Mark Reynolds urged the brand new building minister to deliver “stability and readability” to the sector.
He stated: “Given the present financial uncertainty and the challenges we face round power safety, a fast-changing regulatory atmosphere and the strain on us to fulfill the UK’s bold net-zero targets, it has by no means been extra vital that we proceed to have seen and vocal management from authorities.
“On that foundation we welcome the appointment of Lord Callanan and the brand new BEIS ministerial staff, and stay up for working intently with them – and with the brand new prime minister as soon as they’re appointed later this yr.”
Reynolds, who was appointed CLC co-chair last month, additionally thanked Lee Rowley for his efforts as building minister, a publish he held for simply 9 months.
Federation of Grasp Builders (FMB) chief govt Brian Berry highlighted abilities and supplies shortages as key areas of focus for the brand new minister.
“Lord Callanan is well-known to many within the constructing trade via his work on local weather change and the necessity to retrofit current houses,” he stated.
“This expertise might be invaluable as Lord Callanan takes up the development portfolio and hopefully will present a great addition to these builders working within the restore, upkeep, and enchancment sector.”
He added: “Prime of the record for grasp builders is the necessity to sort out the talents and materials shortages which might be plaguing small constructing firms. The FMB appears to be like ahead to working with the minister over the approaching months.”
Lord Callanan served as parliamentary undersecretary of state for the Division for Transport between June and October 2017. He has additionally labored as minister of state on the Division for Exiting the European Union.
Former building minister Rowley give up final week, citing the federal government’s dealing with of sexual allegations made in opposition to former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.
In the identical week, Greg Clark was appointed housing minister after the sacking of Michael Gove.
A brand new prime minister might be introduced on 5 September.
