The dust has begun to settle following the departure of Angela Rayner from the post of Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Her successor in the role – although not as Deputy Prime Minister – is Steve Reed.

With the government’s ambitious pledge to build 1.5m new homes in the lifespan of the current parliament and the introduction of its flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill, much will rest on his shoulders.

But who exactly is our new Housing Secretary? He was elected as the MP for Streatham and Croydon North in July 2024 and was Environment Secretary before being moved into his new role.

According to Building Design magazine, Mr Reed does have some experience in housing. During his time at Lambeth council, which he led between 2006 and 2012, he was co-chair of London’s Vauxhall-Nine Elms-Battersea regeneration board.

He was also briefly shadow housing secretary between 2020 and 2021. He then spent two years as shadow justice secretary before being appointed shadow environment secretary in 2023; stepping into the government post following Labour’s election victory.

It is encouraging to see Matthew Pennycook remain as housing minister to provide some continuity and maintain momentum as Mr Reed gets to work.

Mr Reed is due to meet leading developers and house builders to discuss the next phase of planning reform this week and is reported to have told department officials that he is intent on turbocharging efforts to boost the number of new homes.

Importantly, housing and planning reform must remain a priority for the government following the arrival of Mr Reed; who may have less influence at the top table than his predecessor.

It is to be hoped that Mr Reed consults the planning, development and real estate community – and listens to its advice – when it comes to delivering the government’s targets and a planning system fit for purpose.