POLITICS

On 5 September 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a sweeping reshuffle across the government, with several prominent ministerial changes, including new appointments at Defra and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. 

Key ministerial appointments

The Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP becomes Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, taking over from Steve Reed MP, who becomes Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.  

Prior to this, she served as Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister from January to September 2025, and as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions (and Treasury/Work and Pensions) from July 2024 to January 2025. She was elected MP for Wycombe in July 2024, having previously served as MP for Wolverhampton North East (2010–2019).  

The Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP has been appointed Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. He previously served as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from July 2024 until September 2025.  

First elected as MP for Croydon North in 2012, Mr Reed has held several frontbench roles, including Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. 

Working with the sector 

BPCA has formally welcomed Emma Reynolds and Steve Reed into their new roles, introducing the association’s mission, highlighting its role in professional pest management, and offering tailored visits with members to explore collaborative opportunities. 

BPCA Chief Executive, Rosina Robson, said: 

“Building relationships with key politicians is crucial for a trade association and an important part of our strategy for protecting people’s tool kits. 

“We look forward to working with Emma Reynolds MP and Steve Reed OBE MP to champion the role professional pest management plays in protecting public health, housing, and the environment.

Registered lobbyists 

BPCA remains the only registered UK lobbyist focused solely on pest management. We're actively seeking to bridge practical understanding between policymakers and the pest management sector. 

If your MP, or even one of the new ministers, could benefit from a closer look at your work, we’d love to facilitate that visit.  

To register your interest (membership required), contact us at: [email protected]  

Source: Online