Grant Shapps’ appointment as housing and local government minister has been widely welcomed by the industry, a response to his experience as shadow housing minister over the past two years. While housebuilders continue to express concern about the localism policies promoted by Shapps, there are few complaints about his enthusiasm for his brief and willingness to engage and debate the issues with the industry. HBF expressed disappointment that the housing minister is not a cabinet post but saw the appointment of Shapps as a “sensible move that will provide consistency in the home building industry’s discussions with the government”. <br> <br> Greg Clark has been appointed minister for decentralisation – effectively minister for localism – and will be involved in the planning changes of the new administration. He was previously shadow secretary for energy and climate change since October 2008. Eric Pickles is the new communities and local government secretary. A former leader of Bradford District Council, Pickles has been MP for Brentwood and Ongar since 1992. In 2007 he was appointed shadow CLG secretary before becoming party chairman in 2009. Andrew Stunell, Bob Neill and Baroness Hanham are under secretaries of state at CLG.<br>