Construction minister replaced after less than a year

The construction minister has left his post after just 10 months in the job.

Lord Prior of Brampton 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.

Lord Henley

He has been replaced by Lord Henley, who was previously parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Work and Pensions. The 63-year-old 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 ongoing professionalisation of the wider industry.”