The construction portfolio awarded in the July reshuffle to minister of state Matthew Hancock has now been re-assigned to Department of Business, Innovation and Skills minister of state Nick Boles.
The move slightly downgrades construction’s position in the Westminster hierarchy, as Hancock – although not a full member of the Cabinet – had been invited to attend Cabinet meetings.
Boles, promoted to the post of minister of state for both business and education in the reshuffle, will not have that privilege. He will take on the construction brief alongside his BIS responsibilities in retail and the rail business.
But as a joint BIS and Department for Education minister, he also has responsibility for vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and traineeships, further education and the Skills Funding Agency.
Nick Boles (left) takes the construction portfolio from Matthew Hancock
Reacting to the news, FMB chief executive Brian Berry acknowledged some disappointment over the switch, but also struck a positive note. “We were initially under the impression that Matthew Hancock would be the minister with responsibility for construction and would be attending Cabinet meetings. Given the size of the our industry, which accounts for nearly 7% of GDP and around 10% of all jobs, and its central role in generating growth, the industry deserves Cabinet level representation.”
“However, Nick Boles is a highly capable minister and, having come straight from his brief as planning minister, he is someone with whom we already have a great working relationship. Nick is a passionate advocate for the need to build more new homes and has already gained a good grounding on the key issues facing our industry. There’s little doubt he has all the makings of being the builders’ mate.”
The National Federation of Builders also welcomed the synergies in Boles’ cross-departmental portfolio.
NFB policy manager Paul Bogle said: “Attracting new talent and securing the right skills for the job will be paramount for the construction industry as it continues to deliver both locally and on upcoming major projects of national significance. Having one minister with responsibility for both skills and construction should ensure a more seamless and coordinated approach, both from government and to government.”
His responsibilties also include the “employer ownership of skills” agenda and its trailblazer programmes, including several in the construction industry.
Boles was previously undersecretary of state for planning at the Department of Communties and Local Government, a role he held since September 2012.
Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, commented: “We are pleased to see that Nick Boles has been allocated the construction brief, and believe that his background as planning minister will serve him well in this new role.
“Boles’ understanding of the issues that the commercial and residential property sectors face will be particularly helpful as he takes on this new patch.”
Main image on home page: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Press Association
