Deja Gove: The Original Secretary of State for Levelling- Up returns to DLUHC
We are probably all familiar with the idea of the circular economy. Well, yesterday evening, Prime Minister Sunak introduced the UK to its first circular cabinet.
A notable number of cabinet posts have been filled with previous incumbants, with the majority of ministers either remaining in post or resuming positions they had previously held under Boris Johnson.
Amongst the many returning faces is Michael Gove, who has once again been appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Whilst I am reluctant to make too many political predictions this early into a premiership; it is probably safe to infer the following from his (re)appointment:
- The Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill is probably going to continue its passage through parliament... accompanied by as many LURB puns as I can muster;
- National Development Management Policies are likely to be moved forward, along with the poorly named and poorly explained "street votes";
- Any dreams of mass deregulation of the planning system are probably (finally) dead; and
- There is a chance that we might, at some point, get to see the long awaited 'portfolio' of amendments to the NPPF.
In short....when it comes to planning, at least, two prime ministers later and we are right back where we started.
Talk about Deja Gove....
Michael Gove has just been confirmed as the levelling up secretary.
Levelling up is a term used to described plans to close the gap between rich and poor parts of the country.
Gove has been an MP for Surrey Heath for almost 20 years.
The 55-year-old is an experienced cabinet minister and has held a number of prominent roles in government, including education secretary, justice secretary and - most recently - levelling up secretary under Boris Johnson.”
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