London Councils has welcomed the appointment of Steve Reed MP as the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The cross-party group, which represents all London boroughs, says it’s ready to work closely with the government on shared goals – from building much-needed homes and boosting economic growth to finally addressing the long-standing crisis in council funding.
Reed, who represents Streatham and Croydon North, is no stranger to London’s local government scene. He previously co-chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London, led Lambeth Council between 2006 and 2012, and even served on London Councils’ executive committee.
Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils, said:
“We welcome Steve Reed’s appointment as Secretary of State and look forward to working with him to deliver on our shared priorities.
“He is someone who knows the local government sector inside out and recognises the challenges facing boroughs in the capital, as well as the huge opportunities which exist to bring about positive change for our communities.
“Boroughs are determined to deliver – whether it's building new homes or driving economic growth. After more than a decade of structural underfunding, fixing the crisis in local government finances is vital to ensuring we can play our part.
“We look forward to working in positive partnership with the new Secretary of State on these issues, particularly as work continues on the proposed reforms to local government funding.”
Funding reforms remain a pressing issue for boroughs. London Councils has repeatedly warned that the government’s current proposals don’t properly reflect the scale of deprivation in the capital – especially the pressures on children’s and youth services. Without adjustments, boroughs say they risk being left without the resources they need to deliver essential services and support London’s economic future. Photo by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.