Housing association chair given MHCLG role

News06.06.181.45 PM by Nathaniel Barker

An MP who chairs a housing association has been handed a junior role in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Eddie Hughes (picture: David Hamilton/Express & Star)

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Housing association chair given MHCLG role #ukhousing

Eddie Hughes, who was first elected Conservative MP for Walsall North in June last year, has joined the department as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS).

Mr Hughes is also the only MP to chair a housing association. He heads the board at 20,000-home landlord WHG.

Inside Housing ran an in-depth interview with Mr Hughes in January, in which he said he aspires to become housing minister.

As a Brummie who started my professional life on building sites i’m delighted to have been asked to become PPS to @MHCLG ministers. An honour to support colleagues to deliver the housing policies we desperately need. #ukhousing
— Eddie Hughes MP (@EddieHughes4WN)
As a Brummie who started my professional life on building sites i’m delighted to have been asked to become PPS to @MHCLG ministers. An honour to support colleagues to deliver the housing policies we desperately need. #ukhousing
— Eddie Hughes MP (@EddieHughes4WN) June 5, 2018

WHG’s board is expected to discuss whether Mr Hughes should stay on as chair at its next meeting.

“I have contacted all board members to inform them of my new position as parliamentary private secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government,” Mr Hughes said.

“I have requested that this matter, and its effect on my position as chair of WHG’s board, is discussed by the board at their next meeting, which will be held later this month.”

Update: at 11.23am, 11/06/18 WHG confirmed that Mr Hughes has stepped down from the association’s board.

Gary Fulford, whg’s Group Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted that Eddie has been given this fantastic opportunity to be right at the heart of housing policy development and delivery.

“Eddie has made a fantastic contribution to the strategic direction of WHG and there is no doubt his passion and drive for our business and housing will be missed.”

Mr Hughes said: “As a result of taking on the new role I’m stepping down as chair of WHGwith immediate effect.

“I’ve spent many wonderful years working with this amazing housing association and with fantastic people.

“I look forward to continuing to work with them as a local member of parliament and thank everyone at WHG for their support over the years.”

The WHG board will discuss future arrangements for a new chair at its next meeting later this month, with deputy chair Mike Hew stepping into the role in the interim.