Housing secretary to step down at next election

In his resignation letter, which Mr Gove published on social media platform X, he said that it has been “the honour of [his] life” that four prime ministers had asked him to serve the country in their governments.

However, he said that while the chance to serve is “wonderful”, he is aware of the “toll office can take”. 

“There comes a moment when you know that it is time to leave,” he said in the letter. “That a new generation should lead.”

In the letter, Mr Gove said he was “pleased to be able to introduce the most wide-ranging reforms to leasehold, social housing and supported housing in a generation”.

He also mentioned building more homes as well as delivering building safety reforms and measures to protect social housing tenants from damp and mould in their properties.

“We have built a million new homes in this parliament,” Mr Gove said.

“But just as important as increasing the supply of new homes is work to make sure every existing home is safe, decent and warm. That is why we have introduced measures such as Awaab’s Law to protect social housing tenants, and give tenants everywhere a stronger voice.

“In this role I have also been moved by the testimony of the bereaved, relatives and survivors of the Grenfell tragedy. I am glad we have been able to legislate and act to make buildings safer, to learn from the tragedy and secure funding for a permanent memorial to those we have lost.”

Mr Gove’s letter also referenced the devolution and levelling up changes his department has made.

“In the levelling up department, our white paper built what I believe is an unanswerable case for strengthening local communities and shifting power closer to the people,” he said.

“This government has delivered the biggest transfer of powers from Westminster to local people in England for more than a century.

“Two-thirds of England now benefit from strengthened devolution with powerful metro mayors across the Midlands and the North able to supercharge economic development and growth.”

Over the past year, Mr Gove has been vocal in naming and shaming social landlords that need to improve following severe maladministration findings from the Housing Ombudsman.

In July last year, he announced the government’s long-term plan for housing, driven by planning reform.