Gavin Barwell named as new minister for housing and planning

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell has been appointed as the new minister for housing and planning by Theresa May.

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell has been appointed as the new minister for housing and planning by Theresa May.

Prior to becoming an MP Barwell worked for Conservative Party HQ between 1993 and 2010. Between 2003 and 2006 he was the Conservative's chief operating officer where he worked closely with former PM David Cemeron.

Alongside his housing and planning brief he has also been confirmed as the new minister for London.

He said: "Hugely honoured to have been asked by the Prime minister to serve as minister of state for housing and planning and minister for London."

He replaces Norfolk MP Brandon Lewis who had been at housing and planning for four years.

Lewis has now been appointed as minister of state for policing and the fire service. He was previously fire minister during his time as a junior minister at the Department of Communities and Local Government.

He had been widely tipped for a new role following his vocal support for May during her Conservative leadership bid.

The role of housing and planning remains a junior minister position.