Housing and property figures have welcomed Angela Rayner’s return as Housing Secretary and Matthew Pennycook’s retention as Housing and Planning Minister, arguing that continuity will be critical if the government is to turn existing reforms into delivery.
Rayner previously held the housing brief between July 2024 and September 2025. Pennycook, who has served at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government since July 2024, will now also attend Cabinet.
John Healey also makes a return to Cabinet after being appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in Andy Burnham’s government. He brings direct housing experience to the Treasury, having previously served as Housing Minister and Shadow Housing Secretary.
The appointments come with work already under way to reform planning and property transactions. The government’s recently published homebuying roadmap includes upfront sales information, digital property packs, minimum standards for agents and work on binding conditional contracts. It says transactions currently take an average of 120 days, with around one in three failing.
INDUSTRY REACTION
Dominic Agace, Chief Executive of Winkworth, says Rayner’s appointment demonstrates renewed commitment to housebuilding, while Healey could help reassure financial markets.
He adds: “The planning system must be reformed to make it faster and easier to deliver new homes, and we need a growing economic environment, so that those homes are affordable.
“The most important thing that the new government can do is restore stability and optimism to UK politics, giving developers the confidence to build and ensuring there is sufficient demand from buyers to absorb new housing supply.”
Nick Leeming, Chairman of Jackson-Stops, says Rayner returned with an understanding of the challenge and policies already in progress.
“Following repeated changes at the top of the housing department, the market now needs clarity, consistency and a policy direction that is maintained long enough to make a meaningful difference,” he says.
“Increasing the supply of new homes must remain a priority, but success should also be judged by whether the wider housing market is working effectively.”
Lawrence Turner, Director at planning consultancy Boyer, says the direction of planning reform had largely been established but delivery was now the immediate challenge.
He adds: “That will require sustained political leadership, properly resourced local planning authorities and a pragmatic response to the viability challenges, increased build costs and infrastructure constraints affecting the development industry.”
The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners welcomed both appointments as leasehold reform reaches what it described as a critical stage.
Mark Chick, ALEP Director and Senior Partner at Bishop & Sewell, says Rayner’s return should reduce the time needed to become familiar with the policy agenda.
He adds: “Mr Pennycook has demonstrated a detailed understanding of the complexities of leasehold law and the need to balance the legitimate interests of all those affected.
“Retaining a minister who understands that work should help preserve momentum and reduce the risk of unworkable or rushed legislation.”
And Colin Brown, Head of Planning and Development at Carter Jonas, says Pennycook’s Cabinet attendance sent a positive signal about the priority being given to housing and planning.
“A successful housing strategy must support those in greatest need while also creating pathways into home ownership for aspiring buyers,” he says.
Nathan Emerson, Chief Executive Officer of Propertymark, adds: ““Propertymark looks forward to further constructive engagement with Matthew Pennycook as Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as part of Andy Burnham’s newly formed cabinet.
“With significant housing legislation already underway and a commitment to deliver 1.5 million new homes across England, housing reform remains a key priority.
“Improving the home buying and selling process and introducing a robust regulatory framework for property agents must be at the forefront from day one. “We look forward to continued engagement with the UK Government to help ensure its housing ambitions are practical, achievable and successful.”
Maria Harris, Chair of the Open Property Data Association, says Rayner’s previous engagement with the industry should enable her to “hit the ground running”.
She adds: “The industry now needs to see the government follow through on its commitments to modernise the homebuying process through Smart Data and wider digital transformation.”
Harris says OPDA-commissioned analysis estimated Smart Data for homebuying could generate £14.1bn in net social value and contribute £2.06bn annually to UK GDP by 2043.
Main picture: (Left to right) Matthew Pennycook; Angela Rayner; John Healey and Andy Burnham.
