Michael Burton 06 July 2022

Greg Clark to return as local government secretary

Greg Clark to return as local government secretary image

Former local government secretary Greg Clark has been appointed to replace sacked levelling up secretary Michael Gove.

The appointment came despite expectations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will resign today, with his office saying he will make a statement to the country.

Mr Clark served as secretary of state for communities and local government from May 2015 until July 2016 and business secretary from July 2016 to July 2019. 

His arrival aims to plug the ministerial gaps at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) after a mass exodus of ministers yesterday.

Local government minister Kemi Badenoch, levelling up minister Neil O'Brien and housing minister Stuart Andrew all quit over Mr Johnson’s leadership style.

In a joint letter to Mr Johnson, Ms Badenoch and Mr O'Brien said it had become 'increasingly clear that the Government cannot function given the issues that have come to light and the way in which they have been handled'.

They wrote: 'In good faith, we must ask that, for the good of the party and the country, you step aside.' 

In an earlier separate letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Andrew wrote: ‘There comes a time when you have to look at your own personal integrity and that time is now.

'Therefore, given recent events, I have no other choice than to resign.’

Mr Andrew offered ‘my apologies to the sector who will have to get to know yet another housing minister but I should commend all of them and those in local government who are doing so much to address the housing needs of our country’.

He was the 11th housing minister in 12 years.

Parliamentary private secretaries in the DLUHC Duncan Baker and Danny Kruger, also quit.

Visit The MJ for more on this story.

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£36,734 to £39,278
We are looking for Social Workers who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and who are passionate about promoting independence and who share the vision of ‘Home First’ and reablement, to ensure people have choice and control over their own lives Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Transport Strategy & Road Safety

Warwickshire County Council
£76,594 - £84,443 per annum
We have a unique opportunity for you to shape, influence and create a better future for Warwickshire Warwickshire
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Development Engineer

London Borough of Bexley
£34,476 - £39,777 per annum
The team requires someone who can inspect, measure and monitor highway works Bexley (London Borough), London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Bexley

Highway Asset and Development Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N Scp 50 £59,031 to Scp 53 £62,076, plus car allowance
To be responsible for leading, developing and delivering an effective, efficient and safe Highway Asset Management Service Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Bridge Engineer

Somerset Council
£34,834 to £39,186
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. Taunton
Recuriter: Somerset Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.