Liz Truss has appointed Simon Clarke as the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

It comes just hours after Truss was appointed as the new Prime Minister, taking over from Boris Johnson who resigned earlier this year.

Clarke is MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, elected in the 2017 general election.

In last year’s reshuffle, the 37-year-old was appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was previously appointed minister of state for regional growth at then-named Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in February 2020.

He’s also known to be a believer in regeneration, pushing for it during his time at the ministry.

On his appointment, Clarke said: “It’s a huge honour to be appointed Secretary of State.  Delivering on Levelling Up for communities in all parts of our country, unlocking the homes we need and supporting the economic growth that is so central to Liz Truss’ Government is our mission – will give it my all.

“This is a Department that I know really well, and which I am so looking forward to returning to – the commitment and expertise of officials there on themes as diverse as homelessness, building safety and devolution is second to none.”

Speaking on Twitter about his predecessor, Greg Clark, he said: “Greg has done a great job as Secretary of State. There are real achievements, from the new homelessness strategy to the new East Midlands Mayoralty – but more than that, he has led the Department with his customary good humour, tact and intelligence. A class act.”