Mark Prisk: "I am going to be focused on delivery"

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government

Mark Prisk has pledged to "focus on delivery" as housing minister and says housing associations have a key role to play.

Giving his first media interviews since replacing Grant Shapps earlier this month, Mr Prisk told 24housing magazine that he is a "practical soul" who "measures everything in outcomes".

"We need more homes, more decent homes, more affordable homes," he said. "That's why the £10 billion guarantee was such an important part of the recent housing announcement.

"My message to the National Housing Federation conference this week was let's be bold. Housing associations are well placed to deliver homes for all types of housing need. Along with local authorities they have a very important role to play."

Mr Prisk was speaking during a tour of Berkeley Homes' Saffron Square development in Croydon. Currently under construction, it will eventually provide 750 homes in a 45-storey tower.

When asked how he intended to make his mark as housing minister, Mr Prisk was quick to draw comparisons with his predecessor.

"Well I'm older and wider than Grant, so that's two differences straight away. I don't happen to Tweet but that purely comes down to personal choice," he said.

"I see myself as a practical soul. I measure things in outcomes. I'm here today to see that we are actually building 750 homes. I am going to be focused on delivery and I hope by working together we can make a difference."

The full interview with Mark Prisk will appear in the October edition of 24housing magazine.