Pickles to get knighthood as Cameron praises housing policies

Mr Pickles, who served as secretary of state for communities and local government from 2010 until this year, will receive the honour for his public service as an MP.

In a letter to Mr Pickles dated 19 May, prime minister David Cameron said: ‘I really do believe our housing policies, including Right to Buy, were landmark achievements from our first term.

‘You have helped lay the ground for us to continue with these reforms in the years to come, helping more people onto the housing ladder with the security that homeownership brings.’

Mr Pickles, who has been the Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar since 1992, also previously led Bradford Council.

During his time at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), he oversaw the extension of Right to Buy discounts to £75,000 and £100,000 in London.

He was also responsible for other controversial housing policies, including the shift in government funding away from social rents towards ‘affordable’ rents at up to 80% of market rents.

Mr Pickles lost his front-bench role in Mr Cameron’s post-election reshuffle. He was replaced at the DCLG by Greg Clark.