Cabinet appointments provide continuity for NHC members  

The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham MP has made several key cabinet appointments which will have a significant influence on social housing in the North. These include:  

• John Healey MP – Chancellor of the Exchequer, and MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough in South Yorkshire. Former Housing Minister, Treasury Minister and Shadow Housing Secretary.  

• Angela Rayner MP – Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and MP for Ashton-under-Lyne in Great Manchester. Former Secretary of State for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.  

• Matthew Pennycook MP – Minister of State for Housing and Planning  and MP for Greenwich and Woolwich  in London, he now attends cabinet. Housing Minister since 2024 and Shadow Housing Minister December 2021 – July 2024.  

• Miatta Fahnbulleh MP – Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and MP for Peckham in London.  Former Department for Energy security and Net Zero Minister and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Devolution, Faith and Communities.  

Northern Housing Consortium Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said: 

“The North needs stability and certainty to tackle the scale of the housing challenge—and these appointments provide that. Each Minister brings recent, hands-on experience of working with the sector, alongside a clear understanding of the North, regeneration, and the power of devolution. We particularly welcome the news that Matthew Pennycook MP will now attend Cabinet, giving housing the stronger voice it needs at the top table. We look forward to continuing to work with the new Ministers to make sure more people in the North have access to a good quality, affordable home in place they’re proud of.”