Wednesday, 5 September 2012

Mark Prisk Replaces Shapps as Housing Minister

Born: Cornwall 12 June 1962, educated at Truro School and Reading University
Family: wife Lesley
Constituency: Hertford and Stortford since 2001 with over 44% of the vote. In 2005, he increased his majority to over 13,000, or 50.5%.  This was increased again in the 2010 election with a majority of more than 15,000, or 53.8% of the vote.
Parliamentary Career: business minister within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.  Since 2005, Prisk has served as shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, shadow paymaster general and home affairs whip before becoming shadow spokesman for business and enterprise in 2007 and a minister after the 2010 election.
Parliamentary Interests: include small business and enterprise, urban planning and regeneration, as well as defence and foreign affairs.  Has actively campaigned on constituency issues such as opposing a second runway at Stansted and plans for the development of Green Belt land north of Harlow. He has presented Private Members' Bills to help the self employed and to protect Green Belt land.
Employment prior to Parliament: Chartered surveyor by profession, also worked in property and economic development and began his own consultancy for firms involved in property, construction and environmental services.
Outside Interests: include urban planning and regeneration, rugby (member of Saracens RFC) and cricket. He also enjoys singing and is a Vice Chairman of the Parliament Choir. He and his wife are keen theatre and cinema goers.
Housing: Campaigned against Labour’s regional housing plan for East Herts, including 3,000 acres north of Harlow. He has helped ensure that a Conservative Government would scrap the regional plan and return to East Herts the powers to determine local development and housing.

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