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Steve Reed (main image) has told civil servants his housing mantra will be “build baby build” as he takes charge of delivering Labour’s ambitious 1.5 million homes target following Angela Rayner’s resignation over her Stamp Duty underpayment.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy is the first confirmed candidate in Labour’s 2025 Deputy Leadership contest, announcing on social media last night that she would stand to give members a genuine left choice.

The former environment secretary and shadow communities secretary last year described the planning system as “too restrictive, slow and uncertain” and has reportedly pledged to “move on to the next stage in unleashing one of the biggest eras of building in our country’s history”.

Following Angela Rayner’s resignation last week over reports of underpaid stamp duty, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer swiftly reshuffled his cabinet, placing Reed in the pivotal role.

New Housing Secretary Steve Reed has a track record of lambasting landlords as a quick trawl through Hansard parliamentary records reveals.

Reed, the MP for Streatham and Croydon North, was appointed on Friday (5 September) to head the ministry for housing, communities and local government following Angela Rayner’s resignation as housing secretary, deputy Labour leader and deputy prime minister.

Steve Reed has been appointed housing secretary following Angela Rayner’s resignation last week.

In the ever-revolving door of Housing Secretaries, Steve Reed has become the 12th person to take on the role since 2010.

The former Environment Secretary replaces Angela Rayner, who resigned following controversy over the stamp duty scandal.

Steve Reed, the MP for Streatham and Croydon North, has been appointed the new housing secretary.