Sajid Javid new Communities Secretary

New Prime Minister Theresa May has handed the cabinet position of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to Sajid Javid.

The former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills will take over from Greg Clark in the role, with May reshuffling her cabinet following David Cameron’s departure from office on Wednesday 13 July. His main focus will be to continue the devolution plans put in place by the former government.

Javid, MP for Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has previously served as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from 2014 to 2015, Minister for Equalities in 2014, Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 2013 to 2014 and Economic Secretary from 2012 to 2013.

In response to the appointment of the new Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Cllr Paul Carter, chairman of the County Councils Network, said: “Building on the legacy of Greg Clark, who was a real advocate for local government and devolution, we look forward to continuing the devolution momentum and our close working relationship with ministers.

“In what could be a significant period of national change, county authorities are well placed to provide stability for our local economies and offer solutions to the sector's biggest challenges."

Greg Clarke has been given the new position of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary - the department that has replaced the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

Responding to his departure, Lord Porter, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Greg Clark as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Over the past year or so, we have been able to work together to deliver changes and secure a number of wins for local authorities.

“The announcement that councils will be able to retain more business rates was one of the biggest reforms to local government finance in a lifetime and our push for more devolution is now revealing just what can be achieved if you hand over more powers locally. Greg has been able to help us put councils and their communities at the heart of the government’s thinking.”

In other appointments, Chris Grayling has been named as Transport Secretary following his role as campaign chief in May’s leadership bid. Former Immigration Minister and Justice Secretary Damian Green succeeds Stephen Crabb as Work and Pensions Secretary, and, perhaps more importantly, Amber Rudd, the former Energy and Climate Change Secretary has filled May’s shoes as Home Secretary, with her old position being taken by defeated leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom.