KEIGHLEY Conservative MP Kris Hopkins has been moved from his job as Housing Minister in this week's wide-ranging Government reshuffle.

Mr Hopkins had that role for less than a year and has now been named Minister for Local Government in the Prime Minister’s sweeping cabinet changes.

The former Bradford Council Leader will now have some diverse responsibilities which he described as "intriguing."

In his new portfolio are adult social care, community pubs and planning policy relating to wind farms and solar energy.

Speaking after the announcement Mr Hopkins said: β€œI am honoured that the Prime Minister has shown continued faith in me by appointing me to the new role.

β€œHaving been a local councillor representing my home ward of Worth Valley for 12 years prior to being elected to Parliament, it is particularly exciting to be made Minister for Local Government, a policy area that I retain a deep affection for.

β€œSo too adult social care, as we work as a nation to address the challenges that come with looking after a population that is living longer than ever before and the increased costs which come with this.

β€œAnd, as someone who loves nothing more than visiting my local pub, I greatly welcome the opportunity to work with brewers, landlords and patrons to support community pubs which are so important to so many cities, towns and villages and which support many thousands of jobs across the country.

β€œIt is an exciting and intriguing new role and one I am very much looking forward to undertaking.”

His appointment has been welcomed by Ilkley Brewery, where sales and marketing manager Luke Raven said Yorkshire's thriving pubs and community of independent brewers would provide plenty of opinion to help Mr Hopkins in his new role.

"From the point of view of Yorkshire, having someone who understands the industry locally will be a benefit to us," he said.

"Yorkshire is a stronghold for the beer industry, with the number of pubs and quantity of breweries here, so it is a fantastic base for a politician to have.

"Kris Hopkins has already been a vocal supporter of the pub industry. It is a good day for the industry to have someone with that background doing his new job."

After Mr Hopkins - and his predecessors' - short tenure as Housing Minister, the Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, David Orr, said a long term plan was needed to end the country's housing crisis. The federation represents the affordable housing sector.