Rishi Sunak has appointed Lucy Frazer as minister of state in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. 

Frazer will work alongside Michael Gove, who returned to the role of secretary of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities earlier this week.

Previously, Frazer worked as minister of state at the Department of Transport from 7 September to 26 October this year under Sunak’s predecessor Liz Truss. 

Prior to that, she served as financial secretary to the Treasury from September last year to 7 September 2022. 

Commenting on her new role, Frazer tweeted: “Delighted to have been asked by @RishiSunak to join the @luhc team.  I am very much looking forward to working with @michaelgove, the ministerial team and civil servants.”

The return of Gove was welcomed by many within the mortgage sector but there was a strong emphasis on their expectations and the work that needs to be done.

The National Residential Landlords Association chief executive Ben Beadle said: “Top of his in-tray will be progressing with the plans he previously worked on to reform the private rented sector, including ending Section 21 repossessions.”

Meanwhile, Oportfolio Mortgages content and communications manager Louis Mason commented that he is “optimistic about his reappointment”.

“Having the previous experience in the role should really give him a good footing to start making some meaningful changes.”

“However, his re-appointment to the levelling up secretary feels like a political appointment to keep some of the Conservative Party happy, rather than a positive forward move for the country. Only time will tell, and the results are yet to be seen,” Mason adds.