Robert Jenrick has held the role since July 2019, but there were calls for his resignation after he admitted sitting next to Tory-party donor and former Daily Express owner Robert Desmond at a fundraising dinner prior to approving his plans for a housing development just in time for Desmond to avoid a substantial infrastructure charge that would have cost £30-£50m.

Desmond donated £12,000 to the party weeks after the scheme was approved.

The decision was eventually reversed after legal action by Tower Hamlets council.

Gove was formerly chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, according to his official title, but in practice, he was in charge of the Cabinet Office. 

Jenrick announced his departure on Twitter earlier today: “It’s been a huge privilege to serve as Secretary of State @mhclg. Thank you to everyone at the department for their hard work, dedication and friendship. I’m deeply proud of all we achieved.”

I will continue to support the Prime Minister and the Government in every way I can.

Propertymark chief executive Nathan Emerson says: “We welcome today’s appointment of Michael Gove as the new secretary of state for Housing. 

“Over the past 18 months housing has been high on the political agenda, with the long term Covid-19 inflicted stamp duty holiday and evictions ban due to close at the end of the month. 

“We look forward to meeting the new secretary of state and his team over the coming months and hope the department’s position and policy focus stays on track.”