The construction minister Lord Prior of Brampton has left his post after just ten months in the job
Lord Prior was appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, a role which included the construction brief, on 21 December 2016.
He has been replaced by Lord Henley, who was previously parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Work and Pensions. Lord Henley held several junior government positions under John Major’s term as prime minister from 1992-97.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said: “We welcome Lord Henley to the position of construction minister. Lord Henley is clearly an experienced minister who will be able to bring to bear knowledge and understanding gained in a number of other government departments.”
Berry added: “Construction is a key strategic industry, with particular needs, and it is important that the minister assigned to the industry recognises this. His work with the Construction Leadership Council will be important, but we will also expect him to remain aware that the vast majority of the industry’s employment and activity is undertaken by small and micro companies.
“A comprehensive strategy for the future of the industry needs to include these firms and provide a roadmap for the on-going professionalisation of the wider industry.”
