A North East MP has been named as levelling up secretary.

Simon Clarke, Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland MP, has been appointed as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Downing Street said on Tuesday evening.

Read more: New PM Liz Truss says country can ‘ride out the storm’

Mr Clarke tweeted he will “give it my all” after his appointment.

“It’s a huge honour to be appointed Secretary of State," he said.

“Delivering on Levelling Up for communities in all parts of our country, unlocking the homes we need and supporting the economic growth that is so central to @trussliz’s Government is our mission – will give it my all.

“This is a Department that I know really well, and which I am so looking forward to returning to – the commitment and expertise of officials there on themes as diverse as homelessness, building safety and devolution is second to none.”

Reacting to the announcement, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "With Simon Clarke in this vital role, it’s a clear demonstration that this new Government will make levelling up a top priority as under Boris.

"His experience helping level up Teesside will be invaluable as part of the wider government agenda. Plus, it’s good to see Teesside on top."

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, described Mr Clarke as a ‘long standing ally of northern business leaders” and a “proponent of devolution to close the north south divide.”

He added: “We look forward to working with him to deliver more deals to places like the North East as well as more powers”.

Ms Truss became Prime Minister in Balmoral after an audience with the Queen, who had earlier received Boris Johnson’s resignation.

While Mr Johnson had delivered his farewell speech in sunshine, Ms Truss had to dodge torrential showers in Westminster for her address from a podium outside No 10.

She vowed to create an “aspiration nation”, tackling the issues that have been holding Britain back for years by building “roads, homes and broadband faster”.

In an echo of Winston Churchill, she promised “action this day” to deliver her plans.

New Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will play a leading role in delivering Ms Truss economic reforms said officials. 

His appointment followed a cull of former ministers who were loyal to Ms Truss’s leadership rival Rishi Sunak, with ex-deputy prime minister Dominic Raab the highest profile casualty.

Other senior ministerial appointments included Therese Coffey as Ms Truss’s Deputy Prime Minister, while James Cleverly became Foreign Secretary and Suella Braverman becomes Home Secretary.

But Nadine Dorries turned down the offer to stay on as culture secretary, while former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said that he had also rejected a Cabinet post.