Sep

Housing minister Eddie Hughes resigns just three days after Truss victory

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Housing minister Eddie Williams has thrown in the towel and says he is looking forward to having more time to work for his constituents in Walsall North and ‘championing their causes in parliament’.

The Midlands MP, who has been at the housing department since June 2018 – a long run for any housing minister or secretary of state these days – has handed back his ministerial ‘red box’ (pictured) and will return to the back benches.

With a merry-go-round in recent years of secretaries of state and housing ministers including scandal-struck Chris Pincher and bosses Michael Gove, Robert Jernick, Greg Clark and now Simon Clarke, Hughes was often the most experienced and knowledgeable person at the parliamentary coal face.

No hint has been made in his Tweet today as to the reason for his departure, but two likely reasons come to mind – either Truss has plans to install her friends as junior ministers at DHLUC and needs him out the way, or Hughes has no desire to work within the new government.

Renting reforms

His departure could be good news for landlords – without the lead organiser for the reforms, they are likely to now be delayed even further as Hughes’ replacement gets up to speed, which would be a considerable task given the huge range and complexity of the proposals.

Hughes was also a key player in the Government’s policy drive on building safety following the Grenfell disaster and also leasehold reform.

His departure has prompted some kind words on social media, which is unusual in today’s digital world, including Gavin Smart of the Chartered Institute of Housing, who said: “Sorry to see you go Eddie. It’s been good to work with you.

“You’ve brought understanding and energy to housing and homelessness and always engaged constructively in looking for solutions to some big challenges. Good luck for the future.”

Hughes also had responsibility for the ‘rough sleeping’ brief and several organisations also bade him farewell including Homeless Link, campaigner Kate Nichols, OBE and Greg Hurst of Homeless Impact.

Reaction

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns for Propertymark, says: “A change of Minister will add to the uncertainty the proposals within the renters’ reform white paper have created among the landlords our member agents represent, specifically the lack of protections against anti-social behaviour with the removal of Section 21 notices and the move away from fixed-term tenancies.

“We’re ready to work closely with whoever replaces Eddie Hughes to ensure that if the private rented sector is to be reformed, it is fair, balanced and workable, and goes ahead without any further delays.”

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