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Michael Gove MP

Michael Gove MP

@michaelgove

Conservative MP for Surrey Heath, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office

'Written with deft and humour': Jo White reviews 'How Not to Be a Political Wife'
Books & culture
By Jo White MP
'Written with deft and humour': Jo White reviews 'How Not to Be a Political Wife'
There may be no official guides for spouses of newly elected MPs, but Sarah Vine’s witty memoir is a good place to start
The Rundown Podcast: Sarah Vine On Political Spouses
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
The Rundown Podcast: Sarah Vine On Political Spouses
What is life like not for politicians themselves, but for their spouses, and what does a life in the Westminster spotlight do to relationships? This week on The Rundown, host Alain Tolhurst goes to visit Sarah Vine - famously married to Michael Gove during his many years as a Conservative Cabinet minister - at her home in West London to discuss what the role of an MP’s wife is, and the often unfair way they are portrayed in the public eye.
Senior Tories Meet German Counterparts To Discuss Rebuilding and Fighting Reform
Foreign affairs
Senior Tories Meet German Counterparts To Discuss Rebuilding and Fighting Reform
A group of senior Conservative MPs has met with German sister parties to discuss how to recover from their 2024 general election defeat in one term and take the fight to Reform UK.
Former Cabinet Minister Minister Gove Awarded Peerage In Rishi Sunak Resignation Honours
Parliament
Former Cabinet Minister Minister Gove Awarded Peerage In Rishi Sunak Resignation Honours
Former cabinet minister Michael Gove has been awarded a peerage as part of the former prime minister Rishi Sunak's resignation honours and peerages lists. 
Michael Gove Says Keir Starmer Could Go 'Further' Than Tories Ever Did On Justice Reform
Home affairs
Michael Gove Says Keir Starmer Could Go "Further" Than Tories Ever Did On Justice Reform
Former Conservative secretary of state Michael Gove has said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer might be able to go "further than we ever did" on prison and justice reform.
Lords Diary: Lord Moylan
Communities
By Lord Moylan
Lords Diary: Lord Moylan
A wicked week of no rest in the Lords – with a whiff of Russian Revolution thrown in
Tory MPs Criticise 'Flawed' Renters Reform Bill As Legislation Set To Sail Through Commons
Home affairs
Tory MPs Criticise "Flawed" Renters Reform Bill As Legislation Set To Sail Through Commons
A number of Tory MPs have criticised the Renters Reform Bill as deeply “flawed” but a large rebellion was not expected as the legislation was expected to sail through the Commons.
Government Has Scaled Back The Renters' Reform Bill
Home affairs
Government Has Scaled Back The Renters' Reform Bill
Ministers have delayed their own plans to ban no-fault evictions, as the landmark Renters' Reform Bill has been watered down.
Ministers Met Landlords Twice As Often As Tenants’ Groups Over Renters’ Reform Bill
Home affairs
By Andrew Kersley
Ministers Met Landlords Twice As Often As Tenants’ Groups Over Renters’ Reform Bill
Ministers met with lobbyists for landlords and estate agents twice as often as they did groups representing renters as they worked to refine new protections for tenants in the landmark Renters Reform Bill, according to analysis by PoliticsHome.
Conservative Voters Support Contentious Leasehold Reforms
Home affairs
Conservative Voters Support Contentious Leasehold Reforms
Conservative voters are keen to see ground rents abolished on leasehold properties, despite significant pushback from within the parliamentary party to water down the major reform put forward by housing secretary Michael Gove.
Future Of Renters Reform Bill Remains In Doubt
Social affairs
Future Of Renters Reform Bill Remains In Doubt
The future of the government's much-delayed Renters Reform Bill remains in doubt, with uncertainty about its path after the next parliamentary recess.
Michael Gove Urged To Firm Up Protections For Tenants Falling Into Rent Arrears
Social affairs
Michael Gove Urged To Firm Up Protections For Tenants Falling Into Rent Arrears
A coalition of charities including StepChange and Citizens Advice have written to housing secretary Michael Gove calling for stronger protections in the Renters' Reform Bill for tenants who fall into arrears.
Government Split Opens Over New Extremism Definition
Home affairs
Government Split Opens Over New Extremism Definition
A split has opened in Government as ministers are concerned a new definition of "extremism" drafted by communities secretary Michael Gove could have unforeseen consequences for campaigning around conservative beliefs and unpopular causes.
Housing Minister Says Housing Is 'Never Really The Problem'
Communities
Housing Minister Says Housing Is "Never Really The Problem"
Housing Minister Lee Rowley has said that housing itself is "never really actually the problem,” a few months after taking on the job of leading the UK government’s strategy on housing, planning and building safety.
Government Is Steadfast On Reforming Leasehold Despite Resistance
Home affairs
Government Is Steadfast On Reforming Leasehold Despite Resistance
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will receive its third reading on Tuesday and Government remains steadfast on its commitment to reform, vowing to strengthen the Bill despite backlash from some Tory MPs.
Pro-Development Tories Are Desperate To Convince NIMBYs New Houses Would Be 'Popular' In Their Patch
Home affairs
Pro-Development Tories Are Desperate To Convince NIMBYs New Houses Would Be "Popular" In Their Patch
A number of Conservative MPs who believe new housing should be a top priority are looking to persuade NIMBY MPs that housebuilding can be "popular" in their area, as the issue continues to bitterly divide the Tories ahead of the next election.
Hopes Rise For Spring Reform Of “Feudal” Leasehold System, But Legal Concerns Remain
Home affairs
Hopes Rise For Spring Reform Of “Feudal” Leasehold System, But Legal Concerns Remain
Parliamentarians and campaigners are hopeful the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, which seeks to tackle “inequality” in the housing market, could be put into law early next year, after it faced little opposition in the House of Commons.
Tory MPs and Housing Industry Leaders Clash Over Leasehold Reform
Home affairs
Tory MPs and Housing Industry Leaders Clash Over Leasehold Reform
A number of Conservative MPs and housing industry leaders have clashed over a key part of the upcoming Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, after the Government promised to tackle "unfair" ground rents faced by leaseholders.
Michael Gove Says Cabinet Office Was Inherently 'Dysfunctional' During Pandemic
Coronavirus
Michael Gove Says Cabinet Office Was Inherently "Dysfunctional" During Pandemic
The Cabinet Office was inherently “dysfunctional” and unprepared for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, according to former Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove.
What To Expect In The New Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill
Political parties
What To Expect In The New Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill
A Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will be brought forward in Parliament on Monday afternoon, as campaigners and MPs gear up to widen the Bill’s scope and make it more radical.
Full through the looking glass: Caroline Nokes reviews 'The Plot'
Books & culture
By Caroline Nokes MP
Full through the looking glass: Caroline Nokes reviews 'The Plot'
Nadine Dorries has actually written a page-turner – but only because I was desperate for it to end
Majority Of People Think Neighbours Would Row Over New Buildings Rules
Communities
Majority Of People Think Neighbours Would Row Over New Buildings Rules
Only one in four people believe residents in large apartment blocks would be able to agree with each other on building management and maintenance issues, according to a new poll which casts doubt over government housing reforms.
Government To Push Ahead With Rental Reforms Despite Backlash From Tory MPs
Political parties
Government To Push Ahead With Rental Reforms Despite Backlash From Tory MPs
The Renters' Reform Bill passed its second reading on Monday, despite mounting opposition from Conservative MPs against the reforms and Levelling-up Secretary Michael Gove.
Government Under Pressure To Move Rental Reforms Through Parliament
Communities
Government Under Pressure To Move Rental Reforms Through Parliament
The Government is under increasing pressure to bring forward the Renters’ (Reform) Bill, which is set to ban no-fault evictions, after campaigners raised concerns that the legislation could be at risk of being dropped.
Housing Advocates Want Government To Reform 'Medieval' Leasehold System
Home affairs
Housing Advocates Want Government To Reform "Medieval" Leasehold System
Housing campaigners are eager for Government to reform the “medieval” leasehold system this year by tackling high annual costs and making it easier for leaseholders to buy the freehold of a home.
Tory MPs Welcome Housebuilding Boost Despite Backlash Over Scrapping Environmental Rules
Environment
Tory MPs Welcome Housebuilding Boost Despite Backlash Over Scrapping Environmental Rules
Government has announced plans to ditch EU rules on nutrient neutrality in order to build 100,000 homes across the UK, prompting praise from MPs despite a backlash from opposition parties and environmental groups.
Government Accused Of Not Engaging With Tory MPs On Housebuilding
Political parties
Government Accused Of Not Engaging With Tory MPs On Housebuilding
A number of Conservative MPs have complained that there has been a lack of "engagement" with backbenchers over its housebuilding strategy, despite many across the party holding strong views on the topic.
Government Urged To Go 'Much Further' To Solve London's Housing Crisis
Home affairs
Government Urged To Go "Much Further" To Solve London's Housing Crisis
Housing campaigners are urging the Government to go “much further” to address London’s housing crisis, after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a series of policies to build more homes in the capital.
Brexit Prep Left UK “Match Fit” for Covid-19 Crisis, Gove Says
Coronavirus
Brexit Prep Left UK “Match Fit” for Covid-19 Crisis, Gove Says
Michael Gove has said that government preparations for Brexit meant the UK was better placed to respond to crises posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Will Government Rental Reforms Actually End “Unfair” Evictions?
Home affairs
Will Government Rental Reforms Actually End “Unfair” Evictions?
Back in April 2019, the May government announced “the end to unfair evictions”. That was just a mite premature: four years and three prime ministers later, “no fault” or Section 21 evictions remain as much a feature of the housing market as they ever did.
Government Has 'No Proper Oversight' Of Levelling Up Spending, Committee Chair Warns
Communities
Government Has "No Proper Oversight" Of Levelling Up Spending, Committee Chair Warns
The chair of the cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has warned that the government has “no proper oversight” of levelling up spending, and questioned whether the policy could ever be properly delivered.
Top Jobs To Deliver Levelling Up Have Been Scrapped
Communities
Top Jobs To Deliver Levelling Up Have Been Scrapped
Government plans to employ a group of Levelling Up Directors who would oversee its flagship policy regionally have been scrapped.
Michael Gove Confirms 'Laughing Gas' Will Be Banned As Part Of Government Antisocial Behaviour Plans
Communities
Michael Gove Confirms 'Laughing Gas' Will Be Banned As Part Of Government Antisocial Behaviour Plans
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed that laughing gas canisters will be banned as part of a government clampdown on antisocial behaviour.
Housing Developers At Risk Of Market Ban After Not Signing Building Safety Contract
Communities
Housing Developers At Risk Of Market Ban After Not Signing Building Safety Contract
Eleven housing developers face a ban from constructing new buildings in England, having failed so far to sign the contract committing them to remediating safety issues.
Major Housing Developers Missing Crucial Government Safety Contract To Avoid Ban
Communities
Major Housing Developers Missing Crucial Government Safety Contract To Avoid Ban
A major housing developer at the heart of a government campaign to fix unsafe buildings has said it has still not received the final version of a crucial contract that they need to sign in the next five days or risk being “banned” from operating in the market, PoliticsHome has learned.
Can we build beautifully and affordably?
Communities
By Sophie Church
Can we build beautifully and affordably?
In 2019, a petition on the parliamentary site entitled “Stop councils being forced to build twice the number of houses we need” emerged online. The summary of the petition ran: “We need new houses, but we want affordable new developments to fit into local infrastructure, to help build a sense of community and pride. The countryside is being swamped by huge housing developments. Small rural villages turned into suburbs, through ugly big out-of-town satellite developments.”