In an apparent downgrading of the housing role, the government has not appointed a minister of state for housing, choosing instead to lower the brief to a junior ministerial position.

Hopkins, a former soldier in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, is among of group of Conservative MPs to be promoted from the 2010 intake.

Hopkins, like communities secretary Eric Pickles, is a former leader of Bradford Council. Before becoming leader of the local authority, he was portfolio holder for social services and council housing.

His achievements over this period included overseeing the delivery of housing stock transfer in Bradford and the building of five new children’s homes, as well as a commissioning process for the Council’s community development provision.

Yesterday Labour appointed Emma Reynolds (above) as shadow housing minister and boosted the role by announcing she would attend shadow cabinet meetings.

The MP for Wolverhampton replaces Jack Dromey.