Select committee calls for clarity on responsibilities of MHCLG and Number 10 North
- Details
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has requested clarity from Secretary of State Angela Rayner on the responsibilities of Number 10 North and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
In a letter earlier this month the committee observed that in light of recent ‘Machinery of Government’ changes, No. 10 North had been involved with aspects of policy which would formerly have been primarily within MHCLG’s remit, including engagement with MPs on Local Government Reorganisation.
On 21 July 2026, a written ministerial statement confirmed plans for:
“[…] targeted transfers of overarching strategic functions: moving local economic growth and devolution strategy from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), and local economic growth policy from HM Treasury directly into No 10 North. These departments will continue to exercise some remaining functions in these areas. This ensures that local economic growth policy and regional empowerment are no longer isolated from one another, establishing No 10 North as the dominant driver of the UK’s economy.”
The statement also announced that the Office for Equality and Opportunity would move to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
In the letter Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Chair of the committee, said it was aware that, since this announcement was made, No10 North had been involved with aspects of policy including:
- engagement with MPs on Local Government Reorganisation;
- correspondence with the Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission concerning political party spending limits; and
- oversight of the new cross-government taskforce on community renewal, which is developing aspects of high streets policy.
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, had also given a speech in which he said “No10 North will oversee the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war period”.
Oppong-Asare called for clarity on the following questions:
- Which specific policy matters concerning “local economic growth and devolution strategy” are now the responsibility of No. 10 North, and which “remaining functions” are the responsibility of MHCLG? Have all of these changes now taken practical effect?
- Does the government consider that policy in areas such as community regeneration, political party spending limits, and council housebuilding may fall within the broad definition of “local economic growth and devolution strategy”?
- Who is the final decision-maker in policy areas where responsibilities overlap between MHCLG and No. 10 North?
- Do you have strategic oversight responsibility for the Office for Equality and Opportunity as Secretary of State, or do these responsibilities lie solely with the Minister for Women and Equalities?
The Committee Chair called for a response by 5 November 2026, ahead of the Secretary of State giving evidence to the Committee on 11 November.
Lottie Winson
