Credit: Cabinet Office (Flickr)
Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell is the latest Tory to be named in Theresa May’s Cabinet shake-up.
Barwell is to become the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, a position formerly held by Brandon Lewis.
He has also been appointed as the Minister for London, a position that was scrapped under David Cameron.
The last Minister for London was Tessa Jowell, who left office in 2010.
Barwell tweeted yesterday: “Hugely honoured to have been asked by the Prime Minster to serve as Minister of State for Housing & Planning and Minister for London.”
Hugely honoured to have been asked by the Prime Minister to serve as Minister of State for Housing & Planning and Minister for London
— Gavin Barwell MP (@GavinBarwellMP) July 17, 2016
The position has been revived to utilise London’s value in helping May achieve her goals.
The MP for Croydon Central said that May saw London playing a central role in her campaign to govern for the “many”.
“She is very keen that the Government work closely with the Mayor across a whole range of policy issues because London is absolutely critical to meeting the challenges she has set”, he added.
Look forward to working with councils, housing associations, developers & investors to ensure we build the homes people need and deserve…
— Gavin Barwell MP (@GavinBarwellMP) July 17, 2016
…and to working with @MayorofLondon to ensure the continued success of our wonderful, diverse capital – and that all Londoners share in it
— Gavin Barwell MP (@GavinBarwellMP) July 17, 2016
Barwell will be working closely with the London Mayor Sadiq Khan to tackle the city’s major issues.
The Mayor’s spokesperson said Khan welcomed the revival of the role and hoped to meet soon.
Barwell’s new role will include responsibility for housing, neighbourhood planning, casework, planning policy, as well as being the lead minister on the Housing Bill.
