James Brokenshire has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Mr Brokenshire replaces Sajid Javid, who has taken over from Amber Rudd as Home Secretary after she admitted inadvertently misleading MPs on immigration targets.

FMB Chief Executive Brian Berry said Mr Brokenshire's appointment comes at a "crucial time" for the housing sector.

"We hope that Brokenshire will build on Javid's good work, both in terms of raising the profile of housing as an issue at Cabinet level, and implementing some sound policies aimed at tackling the housing shortage," he said.

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"In particular, we are keen to work with the new Secretary of State to unleash the capacity of small local house builders. Last year's Housing White Paper and the November Budget Statement that followed have given us a blueprint for change but now we need to get on and do it.

"We stand ready to help Brokenshire deliver the 300,000 new homes per year needed in England alone."

Jean-Marc Vandevivere, Chief Executive Officer of build-to-rent developer PLATFORM_, said: "Consistency of message and of policy is fundamental to ensure we see the necessary reforms and effort needed to provide a solution to the housing crisis.

"Sajid Javid's reality check on renting has been welcome and we hope that James Brokenshire will continue it, while also enacting new policies that support everyone from first time buyers to long term renters get the home they need."

(LM)