Caroline Flint is appointed Housing minister

Published	25 January 2008

Caroline Flint has been appointed Housing Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government. She will attend Cabinet.

Ms Flint said shortly after arriving at her new post:

"I am delighted to have been appointed Housing Minister.

"Housing is a key priority for this Government. We desperately need more affordable housing - to help first-time buyers and young families who are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder. And we need to tackle the challenge of climate change by making our homes greener.

"I relish the opportunity to drive forward the Government's ambitious programme of investment and reform."

Biography

Ms Flint was most recently Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform. Her ministerial responsibilities included the labour market, welfare to work and child poverty. Caroline was also Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Previously, as Minister for Public Health (May 2005-June 2007), Caroline was responsible for taking the Health Act 2006 through Parliament. This Act made England smoke-free from 1 July 2007, ending smoking in enclosed public places.

From 2003-5 Caroline was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office. Before that she was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the House and Minister without Portfolio/Labour Party Chair (2002-3). Caroline was Parliamentary Private Secretary from 1999-2002 to Ministers of State at the DTI and FCO respectively. Between 1997 and 1999, she served on the House of Commons Education and Employment Committee.

She is MP for Don Valley.