You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Introducing the new housing secretary: nine things we know about James Brokenshire
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has a new boss. Below, Inside Housing shares nine things we know about James Brokenshire.
1. He was previously Northern Ireland secretary...
Mr Brokenshire held the Northern Ireland brief through some tough times for the region. He was appointed following Theresa Villiers’ departure in July 2016. For 12 of his 18 months in the post, there was no government at Stormont after Martin McGuinness resigned over the Renewable Heating Incentive scandal.
2...but resigned due to poor health
The 50-year-old stood down from the government early this year, revealing that health screening had shown up a lesion in his right lung which needed to be removed. He said at the time that doctors advised he would be able to return to work after the operation and an extended recovery period. Since his illness, he has campaigned to raise awareness of lung cancer issues.
3. He worked under Theresa May at the Home Office
Immediately before his stint with the Northern Ireland portfolio, Mr Brokenshire worked directly under Theresa May. While she was home secretary, he was under-secretary for crime and security between 2011 and 2014, before becoming immigration minister for the following two years.
The Right to Rent checks for landlords were brought in under his watch, where private landlords are legally obliged to check the immigration status of those they rent homes to.
READ MORE
4. He hasn’t had much to say about housing in the past
A glance at Mr Brokenshire’s website throws up only a small selection of references to housing. In one article from 2014, he welcomed George Osborne’s stamp duty reforms and Help to Buy figures.
Then, in a 2016 reaction piece to Philip Hammond’s first Autumn Statement, he praised measures which “addressed the fact that for too many, the goal of homeownership remains out of reach”.
In parliament, his statements on housing have mainly been made in his capacity as immigration minster.
In May 2016 he noted “the pressures that migration brings to public services such as the health service, housing and schools”. In December 2010, he promised to examine the development of a “payment-by-results approach to housing services” for people with substance addiction issues.
5. He has experience in the housing market
A quick scan of Mr Brokenshire’s register of interests indicates he’s a private landlord, with rental income from a house in Essex declared on the register.
6. His constituency is in south-east London
He has represented Old Bexley and Sidcup in outer London since 2010. Before that, he was MP for the now-abolished constituency of Hornchurch, also in outer east London, between 2005 and 2010. At the last general election, he won more than 60% of the vote.
7. He used to be a lawyer
In his pre-politics life, Mr Brokenshire studied law at the University of Exeter and subsequently worked his way up to become a partner at giant law firm Jones Day. He was born in Southend-on-Sea and attended a grammar school in Essex.
8. He was against leaving the EU
According to The Spectator, like Sajid Javid – and unlike housing minister Dominic Raab – Mr Brokenshire supported a remain vote in the EU referendum.
9. He enjoys a Highlands hill walk
According to his website, Mr Brokenshire “enjoys watching cricket, jogging, listening to music and hill walking – particularly in the Highlands of Scotland”. He lives in Bexley with his wife and three children.
