London, United Kingdom. British Cypriot member of parliament Nesil Caliskan confirmed on Thursday that she has left her role as parliamentary undersecretary of state for devolution, local growth and communities, three days after Andy Burnham became UK prime minister.
Caliskan said it had been an honour to serve in a Labour government and at the housing ministry, where she had worked for two months.
Caliskan’s statement
“As a former council leader, I know that positive difference that putting power and resources into local communities makes,” Caliskan said.
She said she was proud to have helped drive the government’s mission to deliver “pride in place”, improve high streets, devolve power and address challenges related to community cohesion.
The “pride in place” scheme was launched last year to enable local authorities, small businesses and community groups to access funding for small infrastructure improvements in their communities.
New ministry appointments
Caliskan wished success to new Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and those appointed to junior ministerial and undersecretary positions in the housing ministry.
“They will be fantastic,” she said, adding that she looked forward to supporting them and the new prime minister as they worked to bring opportunity and hope to every postcode.
A housing ministry spokesperson said no decision had yet been made on Caliskan’s replacement. The ministry had also not finalised how responsibilities would be allocated among those appointed by Burnham on Wednesday night.
Florence Eshalomi, Sir Stephen Timms, Jacqui Smith, Sally Jameson, Satvir Kaur, Ray Collins, Jim McMahon, Judith Blake and Simon Lightwood were appointed to housing ministry positions.
No 10 North initiative
Lord Privy Seal Angela Smith said on Tuesday that the devolution, local growth and communities brief would move to Burnham’s new “No 10 North” initiative, part of plans to relocate government offices from London to Manchester.
“To ensure places are at the very heart of government strategy, the prime minister is establishing No 10 North as the engine room of devolution and good growth in every postcode, across government and the wider economy,” Smith said.