Pennycook won a large majority in his constituency of Greenwich and Woolwich, beating his nearest rival by 18,366. Speaking after his appointment, he said: “It is a real honor to have been appointed Secretary of State at the Department of Leveling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
“Tackling the housing crisis and stimulating economic growth is an integral part of national renewal. Time to get to work.”
Commenting on the appointment, Propertymark CEO Nathan Emerson said: “Propertymark welcomes the appointment of Matthew Pennycook as Housing Minister within the newly formed Cabinet. Housing must play a crucial role for the government moving forward. In real terms, delivering over 1,100 new homes per working day over the next five years will require enormous planning and stakeholder involvement.”
Commitment to housing policy
“There must be a long-term approach that transcends all parties, with continuity built in as standard. We should never consider a housing plan as a five-year government term, in case of any change in the future.”
Emerson stressed that the housing sector is crying out for vastly increased supply to keep up with demand, and that there is simply no room for error in the future or prices could artificially soar due to the consumer desperation in finding a suitable home for their home. needs.
He added: “There needs to be a broad mix of sustainably built homes that provides much-needed stock for both buyers and tenants. The plan must be delivered with precision and in a way that is linked to wider government planning to ensure that key infrastructure is provided as the population continues to grow.”