The government has appointed Marcus Jones MP the new minister for high streets as part of its post-election re-shuffle.

  • Marcus Jones MP will be responsible for high streets, town centres and markets
  • Jones replaces Penny Mordaunt
  • Nick Boles retains retail brief at BIS

Jones, Conservative MP for Nuneaton, replaces Penny Mordaunt in the role at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Mordaunt herself replaced Brandow Lewis in a re-shuffle last year.

The MP’s remit will include “high streets, town centres and markets”, but Jones will also face pressure to act on business rates which remains a key issue for the retail industry.

Meanwhile, Nick Boles MP retains his responsibility for the retail sector at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Jones previously served as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and PPS to the Culture Secretary. He was first elected as an MP in the 2010 general election having previously been leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. In Parliament he also chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Town Centres.

Prior to his political career, Jones worked as a conveyancing manager for a firm of solicitors.

Britain’s high streets have been a political focus after Mary Portas was charged with coming up with a plan by the last government to help revive them.

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