The ministry of housing, communities and local government has changed its name to become the department for levelling up, housing and communities
The change comes as former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane was appointed as the new head of the levelling up taskforce.
The taskforce has been jointly created by the prime minister and the secretary of state for levelling up, Michael Gove.
Gove will have responsibility for UK governance and elections. He will therefore also take on the additional title of minister for intergovernmental relations, working closely with the Territorial Offices and leading coordination with the devolved administrations on the prime minister’s behalf.
He will be supported in the department by the new minister of state Kemi Badenoch and Neil O’Brien, who has been appointed parliamentary under secretary of state.
‘Levelling up every part of the UK’
Boris Johnson, said: “This government is committed to uniting and levelling up every part of the UK and I am determined that as we build back better from the pandemic we are geared up with the teams and expertise to deliver on that promise.
“Andy is uniquely qualified to lead our efforts to raise living standards, spread opportunity, improve our public services and restore people’s sense of pride in their communities.
“I look forward to working with him, and with my new ministerial team, to deliver the opportunities this country needs.”
Michael Gove, commented: “I’m thrilled that the PM has asked me to lead the levelling up agenda, the defining mission of this government.
“With a superb team of ministers and officials in a new department, our relentless focus will be on delivering for those overlooked families and undervalued communities across the United Kingdom.
“We have a unique opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives.”
