Robert Jenrick

Robert Jenrick was born on 9 January 1982 in Wolverhampton. He grew up in Shropshire near the town of Ludlow, as well as in Herefordshire.{{Cite web |title=Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP|url=https://www.robertjenrick.com/about |publisher=robertjenrick.com|access-date=13 February 2018}} His father worked as a gas fitter and his mother as a secretary.{{Cite news |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |author-link=Gordon Rayner |date=20 July 2024 |title=Robert Jenrick: 'I've been branded very Right wing, but my views are shared by millions' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/07/20/robert-jenrick-interview-right-wing-views/ |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}

Jenrick was privately educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School before reading history at St John's College, Cambridge, graduating in 2003 with a First Class Bachelor of Arts degree.{{Cite web |title=Newark by-election |url=https://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/newark-by-election/comment-page-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513090212/http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/newark-by-election/comment-page-1/ |archive-date=13 May 2014 |access-date=6 June 2014 |publisher=UK Polling Report}} He obtained a Thouron Award to study political science at the University of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2004. He subsequently studied law, gaining a Graduate Diploma in Law from The College of Law in 2005 and completing a legal practice course at BPP Law School in 2006.{{cite web |last1=Cross |first1=Michael |title=Ex-City solicitor becomes Gove aide |url=https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/ex-city-solicitor-becomes-gove-aide/5049118.article |website=The Law Society Gazette |access-date=23 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605060249/https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/ex-city-solicitor-becomes-gove-aide/5049118.article |archive-date=5 June 2023 |date=29 May 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Braddick |first1=Imogen |title=Who is Robert Jenrick? The political career of Boris Johnson's housing secretary |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/robert-jenrick-housing-secretary-conservative-boris-johnson-a4402901.html |website=Evening Standard |access-date=23 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008161840/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/robert-jenrick-housing-secretary-conservative-boris-johnson-a4402901.html |archive-date=8 October 2024 |date=8 September 2022}}

Jenrick qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and practised corporate law with Skadden Arps and Sullivan & Cromwell in London and Moscow.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

Immediately prior to being elected to the House of Commons Jenrick was a director of Christie's, an auction house.{{Cite news |date=2 November 2013 |title=Patrick Mercer lobbying claims: Tories select Newark candidate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-24789022 |access-date=6 June 2014 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

File:Official portrait of Robert Jenrick crop 2.jpg

At the 2010 general election Jenrick contested Newcastle-under-Lyme for the Conservatives, but lost to Paul Farrelly of the Labour Party by 1,582 votes.{{Cite web |title=Newcastle-under-Lyme |url=https://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/newcastleunderlyme/comment-page-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607034719/http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/newcastleunderlyme/comment-page-2/ |archive-date=7 June 2014 |access-date=6 June 2014 |publisher=UK Polling Report}}

In November 2013 Jenrick was selected to contest the parliamentary constituency by-election for Newark, where the sitting Conservative MP, Patrick Mercer, had resigned following a cash-for-lobbying scandal. During the campaign Jenrick was criticised by the UK Independence Party's candidate, Roger Helmer, for owning several properties. Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, defended Jenrick, stating that being self-made and successful was nothing to be ashamed of.{{cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Hope (journalist) |date=3 June 2014 |title=Newark by-election descends into class warfare over candidates fortunes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10873171/Newark-by-election-descends-into-class-warfare-over-candidates-fortunes.html |access-date=11 April 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}} At the by-election, held on 5 June 2014, won with a majority of 7,403.{{cite news |date=6 June 2014 |title=Conservatives see off UKIP challenge to win Newark by-election |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27711254 |access-date=6 June 2014 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

In February 2016 Channel 4 News alleged overspending in Jenrick's by-election victory.{{cite news |date=8 February 2016 |title=Conservatives appear to have overspent on three by-elections |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/conservatives-appear-to-have-overspent-on-three-by-elections |access-date=11 April 2017 |work=Channel 4 News |publisher=}} Jenrick said he was confident his election expenses had been compiled in compliance with the law. Nottinghamshire Police took no action as too much time had passed since the alleged offence.{{cite news |date=19 February 2016 |title='Too late' to investigate Newark by-election spending claims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35616172 |access-date=11 April 2017 |work=BBC News |publisher= |location=}} In March 2017 the Electoral Commission released a report on their investigation into spending allegations at a number of elections. They concluded that the Conservative Party had contravened the spending rules three times (the 2014 Newark by-election being one of those times) and committed offences twice, and accordingly fined the party £70,000.{{Cite web |date=16 March 2017 |title=Investigation in respect of the Conservative and Unionist Party campaign spending returns for the 2014 European Parliamentary Election, and 2015 UK Parliamentary General Election, and in respect of the 2014 parliamentary by-elections in Clacton, Newark and Rochester and Strood |url=https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_file/Report-in-respect-of-the-Conservative-and-Unionist-Party.pdf |access-date=18 April 2020 |website=The Electoral Commission}}{{Cite news |last=Howker |first=Ed |date=23 March 2017 |title=The inside story of the Tory election scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/mar/23/conservative-election-scandal-victory-2015-expenses |access-date=18 April 2020 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}

Shortly after his election Jenrick was elected to the Health and Social Care Select Committee. In February 2015 he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the minister of state for employment at the Department for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey. Jenrick was returned at the 2015 general election with a majority of 18,474, or 57 per cent of the vote, the largest majority in the history of his constituency of Newark and the largest swing of any Conservative MP in that election.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}} In May 2015 he was appointed PPS to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Michael Gove, and continued to fulfil the role under Gove's successor, Liz Truss, from July 2016. Jenrick was opposed to Brexit prior to the 2016 UK referendum.{{Cite news |last=Goodenough |first=Tom |date=16 February 2016 |title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? |url=https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109082518/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |archive-date=9 January 2020 |access-date=11 October 2016 |work=The Spectator |issn=0038-6952}} Jenrick has been Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Trade & Investment and Vice Chairman of the Groups on China and France.

At the snap 2017 general election Jenrick was again returned, increasing his vote share to 62.7 per cent but decreasing his majority to 18,149.{{cite news |title=Election Data 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000829 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629000946/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000829 |archive-date=29 June 2022 |access-date=14 June 2017 |work=BBC News |publisher=}} Afterwards he was appointed PPS to the home secretary, Amber Rudd. As Chairman of the APPG for the Prevention of Genocide and Crimes against Humanity, Jenrick, along with Rudd, met Nadia Murad, an Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist who in 2018 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, to discuss how the UK could help with the reconstruction of Yazidi areas.{{Cite news |title=Nadia met British Home Secretary Amber Rudd MP and MP Robert Jenrick |work=Nadia's Initiative |url=https://www.nadiasinitiative.org/news/2017/11/23/nadia-met-british-home-secretary-amber-rudd-mp-and-mp-robert-jenrick}} In July 2017 Jenrick was elected by his fellow-MPs to be their representative on the Board of the Conservative Party. He was appointed Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury by Prime Minister Theresa May in her reshuffle of January 2018. In June 2019 he represented the Government at the Israel-Palestine peace initiative, led by Jared Kushner.{{Cite news |last=Churcher |first=Dan |date=26 June 2019 |title=MP Robert Jenrick represents the UK Government in President Trump's Israel-Palestine peace initiative |url=https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/mp-robert-jenrick-represents-the-uk-government-in-president-trumps-israel-palestine-peace-initiative-9074506/ |access-date=15 September 2019 |work=Newark Advertiser}}

After Boris Johnson became prime minister following the 2019 Conservative leadership election, Jenrick was appointed Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 24 July 2019, becoming the youngest member of Johnson's Cabinet.{{Cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Heather |last2=Mason |first2=Rowena |last3=Elgot |first3=Jessica |last4=Walker |first4=Peter |date=24 July 2019 |title=Who's who in Boris Johnson's first cabinet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/24/boris-johnson-first-cabinet-whos-who |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

On 26 July 2019 Jenrick, whose wife and children are Jewish, said, "I want tackling antisemitism and ensuring that the Jewish community feels protected and respected to be one of my priorities as Secretary of State."{{cite news |last=Rashty |first=Sandy |date=2019-07-26 |title=New communities secretary enjoys pre-Shabbat walkabout in Golders Green |url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/new-communities-secretary-enjoys-pre-shabbat-walkabout-in-golders-green/ |access-date=2019-09-15 |work=Jewish News}} In September 2019 he said, "I will use my position as Secretary of State to write to all universities and local authorities to insist that they adopt the IHRA definition at the earliest opportunity... and use it when considering matters such as disciplinary procedures. Failure to act in this regard is unacceptable."{{Cite news |last=Harpin |first=Lee |date=15 September 2019 |title=Communities minister Robert Jenrick vows to tackle parts of local Government 'corrupted' by antisemitism |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/communities-minister-robert-jenrick-vows-to-tackle-parts-of-local-government-corrupted-by-antisemi-1.488598 |access-date=19 September 2019 |work=The Jewish Chronicle}}

At the 2019 general election, Jenrick was again returned, increasing his share of the vote to 63.3 per cent and increasing his majority to 21,816.{{cite news |title=Newark Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000829 |access-date=21 November 2019 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}} In January 2020 he spoke at the Conservative Friends of Israel parliamentary reception and told the audience that he would "look forward to the day" when Britain's embassy in Israel will be "moved to Jerusalem", adding that "as Housing Secretary I don't like land-banking. I want us to build that embassy."{{Cite news |last=Buaras |first=Elham Asaad |date=2020-02-28 |title=PM told to sack minister who called for moving British embassy to Jerusalem |url=https://muslimnews.co.uk/newspaper/home-news/pm-told-sack-minister-called-moving-british-embassy-jerusalem/ |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=Muslim News}} The government had not indicated it would move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as the United States did in 2018.{{Cite news |last=Harpin |first=Lee |date=29 January 2020 |title='I look forward to Britain's Israel embassy moving to Jerusalem,' says Minister Robert Jenrick |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/i-look-forward-to-britain-s-embassy-moving-to-jerusalem-says-minister-robert-jenrick-1.496145 |access-date=1 February 2020 |work=The Jewish Chronicle}} The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) called on Johnson to dismiss Jenrick, adding "no minister who openly advocates for law-breaking is fit to serve in Government".

His response to the national crisis with regard to housing safety following the Grenfell Tower fire was criticised as demonstrating a misunderstanding of the issue. His approach, which was said to include "naming and shaming", was seen by some as lacking robustness and ineffective. Jenrick was criticised as having failed to deliver on promises and take concrete action.{{Cite web |last=Rowland |first=Miles |date=2020-02-13 |title=MPs call for cladding fund extension |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/buildings/mps-call-for-cladding-fund-extension-13-02-2020/ |access-date=2020-04-13 |website=Construction News}} There were over ten significant, life-threatening fires after Grenfell, including the Bolton Cube fire. Thousands of affected residents continued to face financial burdens and their lives remained at risk. This stood in contrast to the more effective measures put in place by the Australian Government to keep its citizens safe.{{Cite web |last=Apps |first=Peter |date=2019-11-22 |title=Insight – The cladding crisis Down Under: what we can learn from the response to Grenfell in Australia |url=https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/insight/the-cladding-crisis-down-under-what-we-can-learn-from-the-response-to-grenfell-in-australia-64164 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Inside Housing}}

In February 2020, in a survey of leaseholders from 117 housing developments by the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, a charity that supports leaseholders, 90 per cent of respondents said the government's response to the "cladding crisis" had been "no help at all".{{Cite web |last=Steer |first=George |date=2020-02-21 |title=Predatory investors exploit leaseholders' cladding dilemma |url=https://www.ft.com/content/97b03d82-53fe-11ea-8841-482eed0038b1 |access-date=2020-04-18 |website=Financial Times |issn=0307-1766}} In October 2020 it was estimated that 700,000 people were still living in flats wrapped in flammable materials, and 3.6 million had fire-related defects and faced a wait of 10 years before they could sell their flat or get a new mortgage.{{cite news |last=Lees |first=Martina |date=2020-10-02 |title=Hidden Housing Scandal: join our Safe Homes for All campaign |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/hidden-housing-scandal-campaign-safe-homes-for-all-v65h9pcvl |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}

In April 2020 The Sunday Times reported Jenrick had charged taxpayers more than £100,000 for "a third home" in his constituency of Newark, that he appeared to use only rarely.{{Cite news |last1=Pogrund |first1=Gabriel |last2=Shipman |first2=Tim |last3=Calver |first3=Tom |date=2020-04-12 |title=Robert Jenrick claimed £100,000 expenses for 'third home' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/robert-jenrick-claimed-100-000-expenses-for-third-home-0szhp8lzh |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}} In November 2020 the Public Accounts Committee concluded that Jenrick's constituency had been awarded funding by his department as part of a process that was opaque and not impartial.{{cite news |last=Grylls |first=George |date=2020-11-11 |title=Robert Jenrick's constituency given millions in 'opaque' selection process |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/robert-jenricks-constituency-given-millions-in-opaque-selection-process-lq5vzlndm |access-date=2020-11-12 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, after Jenrick repeatedly urged the public at televised press briefings to stay at home during the government-imposed lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Daily Mail claimed on 10 April that he had twice not followed government restrictions after they were announced.{{cite web |date=2020-04-20 |title=Newspaper headlines: 'So much for lockdown, minister!' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-52239171 |access-date=2021-07-24 |website=BBC News |publisher=}}{{cite web| url=https://www.alamy.com/the-front-page-of-the-daily-mail-from-april-2020-with-the-headline-so-much-for-lockdown-minister-image371179139.html|publisher=Alamy | accessdate=24 July 2021 | title=The front page of the Daily Mail from April 2020 with the headline So Much For Lockdown Minister}}

The first event was travelling 150 miles from London to a second home in Herefordshire, Eye Manor, where he was now living with his family. Jenrick's primary residence was his townhouse in Central London, where his wife worked and his three children attended school. Jenrick defended this, reiterating he was travelling to his family home, where his family were before any restrictions on travel were announced.{{Cite web |last=Tolhurst |first=Alain |date=2020-04-10 |title=Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick defends 150-mile trip to family home during coronavirus lockdown |url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/communities-secretary-robert-jenrick-defends-150mile-journey-to-second-home-during-coronavirus-lockdown |access-date=2020-07-21 |work=Politics Home}}

The second event was travelling 40 miles to see his parents near Shrewsbury in Shropshire.{{cite news |last1=Bloom |first1=Dan |last2=Merrifield |first2=Ryan |date=2020-04-10 |title=Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick 'breaks lockdown rules twice' by going to 'second home' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-housing-secretary-robert-jenrick-defends-visiting-elderly-parents-during-lockdown-11971420 |access-date=2021-07-24 |work=Daily Mirror}}{{cite news |last1=McGuiness |first1=Alan |last2=Powell |first2=Robert |date=2020-04-10 |title=Coronavirus: Downing Street backs minister who travelled 150 miles to 'family home' during lockdown |url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-housing-secretary-robert-jenrick-defends-visiting-elderly-parents-during-lockdown-11971420 |accessdate=2021-07-24 |work=Sky News |publisher=}} He defended this, stating his parents had asked him to deliver some essentials, including medicines, and he had not entered the house.{{cite news |date=2020-04-10 |title=Jenrick within guidelines to deliver medicine to elderly parents – health chief |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/national/18372472.jenrick-within-guidelines-deliver-medicine-elderly-parents---health-chief/ |accessdate=2021-07-24 |work=News & Star}} This position was supported by the emeritus director of Public Health England. Previously, on 22 March 2020, he had written an article for The Mail on Sunday arguing that rather than relatives travelling, local communities should help out.{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=2020-04-09 |title=Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick visited his parents during Covid-19 lockdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/09/cabinet-minister-robert-jenrick-visited-his-parents-during-covid-19-lockdown |access-date=2020-04-09 |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}}{{Cite news |last=Wood |first=Vincent |date=2020-04-09 |title=Housing secretary defends visiting parents' home despite social distancing guidance |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-robert-jenrick-housing-secretary-social-distancing-guidance-isolation-medicine-a9458716.html |access-date=2020-04-09 |work=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}}

Senior MPs{{Who|date=August 2020}} called for Jenrick to consider his position, given his high-profile role in Downing Street's campaign to keep the British public inside during the outbreak, including the ban on travelling to second homes.{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Bill |date=2020-04-10 |title=Robert Jenrick under pressure to quit as claim that mansion is family home is called 'codswallop' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/04/10/robert-jenrick-pressure-quit-claim-mansion-family-home-called/ |access-date=2020-04-10 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}} He was accused by Anna Soubry of "selfish arrogance".{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Simon |last2=Halliday |first2=Josh |date=2020-04-10 |title=Robert Jenrick urged to explain visit to parents during lockdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/10/robert-jenrick-urged-explain-visit-parents-during-lockdown |access-date=2021-07-24 |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}}

In June 2020 Jenrick faced questions over his links to a Conservative donor after it emerged that he met an Israeli businessman, Idan Ofer, with an interest in the future of a multibillion-pound project that Jenrick, then Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, was overseeing. Ofer stated that the £10,000 donation via his Quantum Pacific business was made at the behest of Conservative Friends of Israel, of which Jenrick was a member.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Rob |date=2020-06-25 |title=Robert Jenrick faces questions over meeting with Israeli mining heir |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/25/robert-jenrick-faces-questions-over-meeting-with-israeli-mining-heir |access-date=2020-06-25 |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}} Jenrick later said that Ofer was a family friend.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Rob |date=2020-06-27 |title=Robert Jenrick admits Israeli billionaire in donor row is family friend |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/27/robert-jenrick-admits-israeli-billionaire-in-donor-row-is-family-friend |access-date=2020-06-27 |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}} The same month, it was reported that Conservative councillors approved a planning application for an extension to Jenrick's townhouse despite officials objecting to the scheme three times over its damaging impact in a conservation area.{{Cite news |last=Kenber |first=Billy |date=2020-06-24 |title=Tories gave Robert Jenrick home renovation the go-ahead |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/tories-gave-robert-jenrick-home-renovation-the-go-ahead-9s6580zkm |access-date=2020-06-26 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=2020-06-25 |title=The three housing controversies Robert Jenrick is facing down |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/25/the-three-housing-controversies-robert-jenrick-is-facing-down |access-date=2020-06-26 |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}}

In March 2019 Jenrick's predecessor James Brokenshire had decided that a planning application for a new 17-storey tower in Notting Hill which had been rejected three times by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea should be referred to him instead of being dealt with by the Greater London Authority.[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/895286/Combined_DL_IR_and_note_Notting_Hill_Gate.pdf Decision letter], gov.uk, 25 June 2020, accessed 8 July 2022 In June 2020, on the advice of a planning inspector, Jenrick granted permission for the tower. The decision was described by Kensington and Chelsea's lead councillor for planning as a "major blow to local residents", as the development would "cause harm to our unique borough and, in particular, nearby listed buildings and conservation areas". In his decision letter Jenrick had agreed that the proposals would damage the significance of the area's local heritage, but he found that the effect on the townscape would be "neutral-to-beneficial"{{Cite news |last=Ing |first=Will |date=2020-07-03 |title=Council brands Jenrick's approval of 17-storey Notting Hill tower 'a major blow' |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/council-brands-jenricks-approval-of-17-storey-notting-hill-tower-a-major-blow/10047476.article?blocktitle=news-feature&contentID=19635 |access-date=2020-07-03 |work=Architects' Journal |issn=0003-8466}} and that "the provision of housing attracts very significant weight".

In July 2020 Alan Jones, the president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, condemned Jenrick's proposals to extend Permitted Development Rights. In an open letter, he stated: "The extension of this policy is truly disgraceful. There is no evidence that the planning system is to blame for the shortage of housing, and plenty to suggest that leaving local communities powerless in the face of developers seeking short-term returns will lead to poor results." Jones also argued that the proposals contradicted the Government's own advisors "who had concluded that permitted development had 'permissioned future slums'– allowing sub-standard homes to be built with little to no natural light and smaller than budget hotel rooms." Jones instead recommended that changes should be made to taxation and funding systems to incentivise investment in sustainable buildings, whilst also improving minimum space standards. He confirmed he would be writing to Jenrick as a matter of urgency and the letter would also be signed by Chartered Institute of Building, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute.{{Cite news |last=Hopkirk |first=Elizabeth |date=2020-07-21 |title=RIBA president tells Jenrick his planning deregulations are 'truly disgraceful' |url=https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/riba-president-tells-jenrick-his-planning-deregulations-are-truly-disgraceful/5107114.article |access-date=2020-07-21 |work=Building Design}}

In January 2021 Jenrick declined the request of Tim Farron, the MP for West Morland and Lonsdale for the Liberal Democrats, to call in for review plans for Whitehaven coal mine, the first new deep coal mine in the UK in 30 years, after Cumbria County Council approved the plan. Farron described the coal mine as a "complete disaster for our children's future" and that "it's utter and rank hypocrisy for this Conservative Government to claim one minute that they care about protecting our environment, and in the next give the green light to a deep coal mine." West Cumbria Mining said it would create 500 jobs and pay into a community fund for 10 years.{{Cite news |date=2021-01-06 |title=Whitehaven coal mine: Government refuses to call in plans |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cumbria-55561852 |access-date=2021-01-07 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

File:Isle of Dogs, Westferry Road - geograph.org.uk - 2998545.jpg

In January 2020 Jenrick approved a £1 billion luxury housing development of 1,500 homes on Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs, as a favour to Richard Desmond, a Conservative Party donor, businessman and former pornographer.{{cite web |title=Richard Desmond: the former porn baron caught in a Tory scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jun/25/richard-desmond-ex-express-owner-pursuing-a-big-profit-in-property |work=The Guardian |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728141829/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jun/25/richard-desmond-ex-express-owner-pursuing-a-big-profit-in-property |url-status=live }}.

Jenrick approved the scheme on 14 January knowing that an approval by that date would enable Desmond to avoid having to pay a council-imposed infrastructure levy of between £30 million and £50 million.{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=2020-05-27 |title=Former Tory donor's housing project 'unlawfully approved to avoid £40m hit' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/may/27/richard-desmond-housing-project-unlawfully-approved-robert-jenrick-isle-dogs-london-avoid-40m-hit |access-date=2020-05-28 |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}}{{Cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=George |last2=Pickard |first2=Jim |author-link2=Jim Pickard |date=2020-06-24 |title=Government releases documents on Jenrick approval of Desmond project |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5672bc48-9cf0-4365-b13d-932f1272adfd |access-date=2020-07-02 |work=Financial Times |issn=0307-1766}}

A Government planning inspector had advised against permitting the scheme, as it would not deliver enough affordable housing and as the height of the tower would be detrimental to the character of the area.{{Cite news |date=2020-05-27 |title=Minister accepts Isle of Dogs housing development 'was unlawful' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-52826751 |access-date=2020-05-28 |publisher=BBC News}} Other civil servants had also advised Jenrick not to approve the scheme.{{cite web | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/were-going-ahead-with-this-jenrick-has-made-his-mind-up-lets-get-this-sorted-2rskbwhnf | title=Robert Jenrick overruled civil servants to push through Tory donor's £1bn housing plan | date=26 June 2020 }}

Tower Hamlets London Borough Council then pursued a judicial review against Jenrick's decision in the High Court, arguing that it had shown bias towards Desmond. It was also reported that Jenrick had helped Desmond to save an additional £106 million by allowing affordable housing at 21 per cent, instead of enforcing the local and London-wide planning policy requirement of 35 per cent.{{Cite news |date=2020-06-26 |title=Westferry planning row: Jenrick faces questions after document release |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53158002 |access-date=2020-06-24 |work=BBC News |publisher=}} This could have resulted in a total discount (and subsequent loss of revenue to the Exchequer) of approximately £150 million.{{Cite news |last1=Calver |first1=Tom |last2=Greenwood |first2=George |last3=Midolo |first3=Emanuele |last4=Pogrund |first4=Gabriel |author-link4=Gabriel Pogrund |date=2020-06-21 |title='I followed the rules,' said housing secretary Robert Jenrick — then admitted he didn't |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/i-followed-the-rules-said-housing-secretary-robert-jenrick-then-admitted-he-didnt-chvzkzb7m |access-date=2020-07-02 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}

In May 2020 Jenrick did not contest the judicial review, conceding that his sign-off of the scheme was "unlawful by reason of apparent bias". He also confirmed that his approval had deliberately been issued before the new CIL policy could be adopted. This meant that Jenrick was able to avoid disclosing correspondence relating to the application in open court. His planning permission was quashed by the High Court, which ordered that the matter was to be decided by a different minister. Jenrick maintained that although the decision had been "unlawful by reason of apparent bias", there had been no "actual bias".{{Cite news |last=Burford |first=Rachael |date=2020-05-27 |title=Westferry Printworks: Housing minister Robert Jenrick denies bias |url=https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/housing-minister-denies-bias-on-westferry-plans-1-6672703 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123224239/https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/housing-minister-denies-bias-on-westferry-plans-1-6672703 |archive-date=2020-11-23 |access-date=2020-06-03 |work=Docklands & East London Advertiser}} Desmond, whose company had donated to the Conservative Party in 2017, made a further personal donation to the party shortly after the approval was given. Andrew Wood, an independent councillor, had resigned from the Conservative Party over the property deal.{{Cite news |date=24 June 2020 |first=Steve|last=Swann|title=Robert Jenrick and Westferry planning row: What's really at stake?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53159091|publisher=BBC News |access-date=2 November 2024}}{{Cite news |date=10 June 2020 |title=Robert Jenrick urged to release documents in planning row |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52999732 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=10 June 2020}} The planning decision was re-determined by a different Government minister. In conceding the move did show "apparent bias", Jenrick effectively blocked the judicial review, which originally prevented documents between his department and the developer from being made public.{{Cite news |last=Demianyk |first=Graeme |date=2020-06-10 |title=Robert Jenrick To Face Questions In Parliament Over Approval For Richard Desmond Housing Plan |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jenrick-labour-questions-westferry_uk_5ed9247bc5b61639950da357 |access-date=2020-06-11 |work=HuffPost}}

In June 2020 Desmond told The Sunday Times he had lobbied Jenrick at a Conservative Party fundraising dinner held at the Savoy Hotel in November. He said he had shown Jenrick "three or four minutes" of a promotional video for the Westferry Printworks development on his mobile phone, adding "he got the gist".{{Cite news |last1=Pogrund |first1=Gabriel |author-link=Gabriel Pogrund |last2=Midolo |first2=Emanuele |last3=Calver |first3=Tom |last4=Greenwood |first4=George |date=2020-06-20 |title=Robert Jenrick watched housing promo video on Richard Desmond's phone |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/robert-jenrick-watched-housing-promo-video-on-richard-desmonds-phone-bqb0s8kz2 |access-date=2020-06-26 |work=The Sunday Times |issn=0140-0460}}

The interview was followed by a Labour Party opposition day motion debate in the House of Commons on 24 June, which forced Jenrick into releasing all "relevant" documents surrounding his dealings with Desmond, including private text messages between him and the developer that show discussion of the then live planning application beginning the night of the fundraising dinner.{{Cite news |date=2020-06-26 |title=Robert Jenrick to release documents on controversial £1bn property deal approval after pressure |url=https://news.sky.com/story/labour-bid-to-force-robert-jenrick-to-release-documents-on-controversial-1bn-property-deal-approval-12013641 |access-date=2020-06-24 |work=Sky News |publisher=}} One of the emails revealed that Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials were being pressured by Jenrick to work out how to overrule the Government's own planning inspector so he could approve the plans before any increase in the Tower Hamlets council community infrastructure levy (CIL), which Desmond would have had to pay. That Jenrick did not disclose to his department his potential conflict of interest until a month after his dinner raised concern.{{Cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Oliver |last2=Wright |first2=Billy |date=2020-06-26 |title=Documents cast doubt on Robert Jenrick's defence |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/documents-cast-doubt-on-robert-jenricks-defence-dpsb7j3v2 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Times |issn=0140-0460}} The release of the documents led to calls for Jenrick's resignation for his use of a public office for political favours.{{Cite news |date=2020-06-11 |title=Jenrick urged to release documents in planning row |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-52999732 |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=BBC News |publisher=}} Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill said the prime minister (Boris Johnson) "considered the matter closed" following the publication of the documents.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53158002 | title=Westferry planning row: Jenrick faces questions after document release | work=BBC News | date=23 June 2020 }}

In August 2020, members of Grenfell United refused an invitation to have a meeting with Jenrick due to the slow progress of enforcing the findings of the first phase of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, a lack of progress on reforming social housing and his controversy with Desmond.In a letter, the group told him: "Your perceived focus on the interests of property developers over the needs of an impoverished local community has soured our opinion of you. It tells us you have learned nothing from your previous interactions and conversations with Grenfell United committee members who lost so much on the night of the fire. Bereaved families and survivors sat with you and opened their hearts, and your actions have thrown this trust back in our faces." {{Cite news |last=Booth |first=Robert |date=2020-09-06 |title=Grenfell bereaved say Covid ban on attending inquiry is 'madness' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/06/grenfell-bereaved-say-covid-ban-on-attending-inquiry-is-madness |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}

The project was subsequently refused planning permission in 2021,{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/18/westferry-property-scheme-ditched-after-minister-rejects-appeal-robert-jenrick-richard-desmond | title=Westferry property scheme ditched after minister rejects appeal | newspaper=The Guardian | date=18 November 2021 | last1=Media | first1=P. A. }} but was approved in August 2024.https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/documents/s240902/Westferry%20SDC%20Report%20Final.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=May 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Edgar |first=Laura |date=2024-09-03 |title=Revised Westferry Printworks scheme approved |url=https://www.theplanner.co.uk/2024/09/03/revised-westferry-printworks-scheme-approved |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=The Planner |language=en}}

In June 2020 Jenrick was described by Ruth Deech, Baroness Deech, as breaching "the guidance on planning propriety" over his management of a planning application to build a national Holocaust memorial, which she described as controversial. The MHCLG, Jenrick's department, took control of the approval process from Westminster Council days after he met the project's main backers, including Gerald Ronson.{{Cite news |last=Das |first=Shanti |date=2020-06-21 |title=Robert Jenrick 'breached planning propriety' over Holocaust memorial site |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/robert-jenrick-breached-planning-propriety-over-holocaust-memorial-site-d66pq7bpz |access-date=2020-06-26 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite news |last=Harpin |first=Lee |date=2020-06-23 |title=Jenrick accused of breaching planning guidance over Holocaust memorial |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/jenrick-accused-of-breaching-planning-guidance-over-holocaust-memorial-1.500920 |access-date=2020-06-26 |work=The Jewish Chronicle}} The planning application was called in by Jenrick in November 2019; this was hours before Parliament was dissolved, and three months before Westminster Council unanimously rejected the scheme. The application was submitted in 2018 by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, an organisation sponsored by the MHCLG.{{Cite news |last=Ing |first=Will |date=2020-07-09 |title=Jenrick faces judicial review over Holocaust Memorial call-in |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/jenrick-faces-judicial-review-over-holocaust-memorial-call-in/10047530.article |access-date=2020-07-12 |work=Architects' Journal |issn=0003-8466}}

In July 2020 Jenrick faced High Court action brought by the London Parks & Gardens Trust over his handling of the Holocaust memorial planning application and decision to allow his junior colleague, housing minister Christopher Pincher, to determine the fate of the application. Jenrick's decision stripped Westminster City Council of its power to rule on the £102 million project – which was to be built in Victoria Tower Gardens – a grade II listed park near the Palace of Westminster, which the trust said was "the last piece of publicly accessible land in central London".{{Cite news |last=Harpin |first=Lee |date=2020-07-09 |title=Jenrick facing High Court action over handling of Shoah memorial planning application |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/jenrick-facing-high-court-action-over-handling-of-shoah-memorial-planning-application-1.501477 |access-date=2020-07-12 |work=The Jewish Chronicle}}

On 15 September 2021 it was announced that Jenrick had been dismissed as Communities Secretary after Boris Johnson had reshuffled his cabinet, and had been succeeded by Michael Gove (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster).{{Cite web |last=Woodcock |first=Andrew |date=2021-09-15 |title=Robert Jenrick sacked as housing secretary in Boris Johnson's reshuffle |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/robert-jenrick-reshuffle-cabinet-housing-b1920678.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}}

In September 2022 Jenrick was appointed Minister of State for Health.{{Cite web |title=Ministerial Appointments: September 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-september-2022 |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=GOV.UK}} In October 2022 Jenrick was appointed Minister of State for Immigration, a cabinet attending role, by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.{{cite web |title=Ministerial Appointments commencing: 25 October 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-25-october-2022 |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=GOV.UK}} That same month, Jenrick agreed to visit the Home Office facility in Manston, Kent, after the Independent Inspector of Borders David Neal said to MPs the situation at the centre was "wretched".{{Cite news |last=Easton |first=Mark |date=2022-10-27 |title=Channel Migrants: Manston processing centre criticism prompts minister's visit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-63411080 |access-date=2022-10-27 |work=BBC News |publisher=}} In February 2023, Jenrick said in a debate in the House of Commons that the Home Office was "monitoring the activities" of human rights lawyers in the United Kingdom, stating that human rights lawyers "exploit and abuse our laws".{{cite web |last=Bychawski |first=Adam |date=2023-02-21 |title=The government says it is 'monitoring' human rights lawyers |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/robert-jenrick-knowsley-far-right-human-rights-lawyers-monitoring/ |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=openDemocracy |issn=1476-5888}}{{cite web |last=Hyde |first=John |date=2023-02-21 |title=Home Office monitoring immigration lawyers' activities, says minister |url=https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/home-office-monitoring-immigration-lawyers-activities-says-minister/5115207.article |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Law Society Gazette |issn=0262-1495}}{{cite web |date=16 March 2023 |title=Statement from the Public Interest Law Centre • Public Interest Law Centre |url=https://www.pilc.org.uk/news/statement-from-the-public-interest-law-centre/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=Public Interest Law Centre}}

In March 2023 Jenrick said that asylum seekers should be housed "in the most basic accommodation possible, including disused army bases and possibly ships, to save money and to dissuade people from coming to the UK."{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=2023-03-29 |title=Asylum seekers will get the most basic housing possible, says Robert Jenrick |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/29/asylum-seekers-housed-portakabins-maybe-ships-robert-jenrick |access-date=2023-07-07 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} He said in the Commons that, "We must not elevate the wellbeing of illegal migrants above those of the British people". He further stated that "Accommodation for migrants should meet their essential living needs and nothing more. Because we cannot risk becoming a magnet for the millions of people who are displaced and seeking better economic prospects."{{cite news |date=2023-03-29 |title=Robert Jenrick: asylum seekers' housing to meet 'essential living needs and nothing more' – video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2023/mar/29/robert-jenrick-asylum-seekers-housing-to-meet-essential-living-needs-and-nothing-more-video |access-date=2023-07-07 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web |date=2023-03-29 |title=Immigration minister Robert Jenrick announces plans to in house migrants in disused military bases |url=https://news.sky.com/video/immigration-minister-robert-jenrick-announces-plans-to-in-house-migrants-in-disused-military-bases-12844938 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=Sky News |publisher=}} Jenrick stated in April 2023 that protests against asylum seekers being housed in hotels, such as those in Knowsley, Liverpool, which saw far-right demonstrators clash with police, are a "warning to be heeded, not a phenomenon to be managed" by ministers.{{cite web |last=Singh |first=Arj |date=2023-04-25 |title=Channel migrants 'cannibalise' communities by importing 'different lifestyles', claims minister |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/channel-migrants-communities-different-lifestyles-minister-robert-jenrick-2297187 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=i News}}

In April 2023 the government announced that it had leased a barge to house 500 migrants on its southern coast as part of efforts to reduce the use of costly hotels as temporary accommodation while asylum claims were being processed.{{cite news |last=Ravikumar |first=Sachin |date=2023-04-05 |title=Britain to house 500 asylum seekers in barge on southern coast |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-house-500-asylum-seekers-barge-southern-coast-2023-04-05/ |access-date=2023-07-07 |work=Reuters |publisher=}} Jenrick defended the policy, stating that it was necessary in order "to save the British taxpayer money and to prevent the UK becoming a magnet for asylum shoppers in Europe."{{cite news |date=27 April 2023 |title=Migrant barge in Dorset could be in place for years, MP warns |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-65408668 |access-date=7 July 2023}} The Bibby Stockholm, which is to be operational for at least 18 months, is to provide basic accommodation and healthcare, catering facilities and round-the-clock security.{{cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=UK to house 500 asylum seekers on barge docked off southern coast |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230405-uk-leases-barge-to-house-500-asylum-seekers |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=France 24 |publisher=}}

Defending the Conservative government's Illegal Migration Bill in Parliament, Jenrick said in April 2023 that refugees crossing the English Channel "cannibalise" communities by importing "different lifestyles and values", which he said undermines "cultural cohesiveness" and that the "nation has a right to preserve itself, "Whilst it's impossible to determine the exact numbers, the basic fact is undeniable that the number of people who are willing and able to reach the UK today is astronomical and vastly outnumbers what we are capable or willing to take as a country."{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Flora |date=2023-04-25 |title=Jenrick attacks 'humanitarian nimbyism' as he defends Illegal Migration Bill |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/suella-braverman-parliament-prime-minister-channel-bill-b2326492.html |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}} Jenrick said in May 2023 that "The refugee convention ... says that people should seek sanctuary, should seek asylum in the first safe country."{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Georgina |date=11 May 2023 |title=FactCheck: Jenrick's claim that people must seek asylum in first safe country |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-jenricks-claim-that-people-must-seek-asylum-in-first-safe-country |access-date=7 July 2023 |website=Channel 4 News}} The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees previously stated in 2021 that "there is no requirement under international law for asylum-seekers to seek protection in the first safe country they reach."{{cite web |date=4 May 2021 |title=UNHCR Observations on the New Plan for Immigration UK |url=https://www.unhcr.org/uk/media/unhcr-observations-new-plan-immigration-uk |access-date=7 July 2023}}

Jenrick was criticised in July 2023 by Sir Robert Chote, chairman of the British government's official Statistics Authority, for misleading parliament regarding modern slavery.{{cite web |last=Bancroft |first=Holly |date=2023-07-05 |title=Jenrick rebuked by watchdog for false claim over criminals posing as modern slaves |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/robert-jenrick-modern-slavery-statistics-authority-b2369865.html |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}} Jenrick incorrectly told the House of Commons that "71 per cent of foreign national offenders in the detained estate, whom we are trying to remove from the country, are claiming to be modern slaves." Chote said that the Home Office's own report on the issue shows that around one fifth of foreign offenders convicted in the UK had been referred for modern slavery support, not the 71 per cent that Jenrick claimed.

In July 2023, it was reported that Jenrick told staff at an asylum reception centre designed for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Kent to paint over wall art depicting cartoons and animals such as Baloo from The Jungle Book and Mickey Mouse in order to provide a less welcoming atmosphere for children.{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Arj |date=2023-07-04 |title=Minister ordered Home Office staff to paint over art for children at asylum centre |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/minister-home-office-staff-paint-over-art-asylum-centre-2451897 |access-date=2023-07-04 |work=i News}}{{cite web |last=Osborne |first=Samuel |date=2023-07-07 |title=Backlash as 'evil' Home Office paints over Mickey Mouse mural at child asylum seeker centre |url=https://news.sky.com/story/evil-home-office-paints-over-mickey-mouse-mural-at-child-asylum-seeker-centre-12916543 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=Sky News |publisher=}} The Home Office later confirmed that the cartoons had been painted over on 5 July.{{cite news |last1=Quach |first1=Georgina |last2=Bush |first2=Stephen |author-link2=Stephen Bush |date=2023-07-07 |title=Power shifts in regions no longer rest on UK's 'realignment' |url=https://www.ft.com/content/66b6eaab-f43e-4b99-bd0f-d43944638c6b |access-date=2023-07-07 |work=Financial Times |issn=0307-1766}}{{cite web |last=Singh |first=Arj |date=2023-07-06 |title=Home Office has painted over Mickey Mouse murals at asylum centre for lone children |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/home-office-painted-mickey-mouse-murals-children-asylum-centre-2461147 |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=i News}} Jenrick said the cartoons were painted over as they were not "age appropriate" for teenagers in the asylum centre.{{cite news |date=2023-07-11 |title=Minister defends painting over Mickey Mouse cartoons in asylum centre |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-66164924 |access-date=2023-08-08 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

On 6 December 2023 Jenrick resigned from his position over "strong disagreements" with the government's response to problems with the Rwanda asylum plan,{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Becky |date=2023-12-06 |title=Robert Jenrick resigns as immigration minister over Rwanda legislation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67640833 |access-date=2024-02-13 |work=BBC News}} stating that the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill "does not go far enough".{{Cite web |title=Rishi Sunak – live updates: Braverman makes shock return to cabinet; Mordaunt gets 'graveyard slot'; Hunt still chancellor |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak-prime-minister-latest-updates-penny-mordaunt-12593360 |access-date=25 October 2022 |publisher=Sky News}}{{Cite news |last=Dathan |first=Matt |date=2023-12-06 |title=Robert Jenrick 'quits as immigration minister over Rwanda policy' |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/rwanda-policy-james-cleverly-echr-s8lkcbkqp |access-date=2023-12-06 |issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Faye |date=2023-12-06 |title=Robert Jenrick resigns as immigration minister over government's Rwanda plan – Home Office minister |url=https://news.sky.com/story/robert-jenrick-resigns-as-immigration-minister-over-governments-rwanda-plan-home-office-minister-13024262 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Sky News}}

At the 2024 general election, Jenrick was again returned, with a decreased vote share of 39.2 per cent and a decreased majority of 3,572.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001375|title=Newark – General election results 2024|work=BBC News }}

File:Jenrick for Leader logo.svg

On 25 July 2024 he announced he was running in the leadership election to be the new Conservative Party leader.{{cite web |last=Francis |first=Sam |date=2024-07-25 |title=Jenrick becomes third Tory leadership candidate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clmypvr4p49o |accessdate=2024-07-25 |website=BBC News |publisher=}}{{cite news |last1=Crerar |first1=Pippa |author-link=Pippa Crerar |date=2024-07-25 |title=Robert Jenrick enters race to become next Tory leader |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/25/robert-jenrick-enters-race-to-become-next-tory-leader |accessdate=2024-07-25 |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}} During the First MPs' ballot he won the most votes, at 28 votes.{{cite web |last=Devlin |first=Kate |date=2024-09-04 |title=Robert Jenrick in pole position to be next Tory leader as Priti Patel eliminated in first round of voting |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/robert-jenrick-priti-patel-tory-leader-b2606987.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}} In the Second MPs' ballot Jenrick remained as the frontrunner, winning 33 votes.{{Cite web |last=Dilnot |first=Giles |date=2024-09-10 |title=STRIDE ELIMINATED ON THE SECOND BALLOT |url=https://conservativehome.com/2024/09/10/stride-eliminated-on-the-second-ballot/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=ConservativeHome}}

In September 2024, Jenrick accused the Labour government of "rank hypocrisy" in relation to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer accepting donations from members of the public. Later that month, Jenrick was found to have accepted a £75,000 donation from Spott Fitness, a company based in the British Virgin Islands.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Faye |date=2024-09-29 |title=Robert Jenrick defends £75k donation after criticising Labour in freebies row |url=https://news.sky.com/story/robert-jenrick-defends-75-000-donation-after-criticising-labour-in-freebies-row-13224393 |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Sky News |publisher=}} Upon further inspection, the company's accounts revealed it had 'no employees, has never made a profit and has more than £300,000 of debts'.{{cite web |last1=McKeon |first1=Christopher |date=2024-09-29 |title=Labour demands probe into £75,000 donation to Tory leadership contender Jenrick |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/robert-jenrick-tortoise-british-british-virgin-islands-mps-b2620989.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Independent |publisher= |issn=1741-9743}} On 30 September 2024, British businessman Phillip Ullmann revealed he had provided the donation through Spott Fitness but did not explain why he did not donate personally, as he has done for several other politicians.{{cite web |last1=Culbertson |first1=Alix |title=Businessman reveals he is behind £75,000 donation to Robert Jenrick – but tax haven questions remain |url=https://news.sky.com/story/businessman-reveals-he-is-behind-75-000-donation-to-robert-jenrick-but-tax-haven-questions-remain-13225253 |publisher=Sky |access-date=7 October 2024}}

On 9 October 2024, Jenrick came second in the final round of MP voting in the Tory leadership election, therefore making it through to the membership vote which would decide the winner.{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/tory-leadership-race-james-cleverly-knocked-out-leaving-robert-jenrick-and-kemi-badenoch-as-final-two-facing-party-membership-vote-13230871|title=Tory leadership race: James Cleverly knocked out – leaving Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch as final two facing party membership vote|publisher=Sky News|accessdate=9 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/james-cleverly-robert-jenrick-kemi-badenoch-mps-tom-tugendhat-b2626559.html|title=Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch to face off in final Tory leadership vote|newspaper=The Independent|accessdate=9 October 2024}} He lost that election, garnering 41,388 votes (43.5 per cent) compared to his opponent Kemi Badenoch who won with 53,806 votes (56.5 cent), thus making Badenoch Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qdnewgx19o|title=Badenoch vows to renew Tories after leadership win|date=2 November 2024 |publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/kemi-badenoch-wins-race-to-be-next-tory-leader-13245903|title=Kemi Badenoch wins race to be next Tory leader|publisher=Sky News|accessdate=2 November 2024}} Jenrick was subsequently appointed by Badenoch to the post of Shadow Secretary of State for Justice.

Once viewed as a centrist within the Conservative Party, Jenrick has recently adopted more right-wing positions, particularly on immigration.{{Cite news |last1=Courea |first1=Eleni |last2=Mason |first2=Rowena |date=2024-08-09 |title=How did Robert Jenrick go from centrist Tory to anti-immigration hardliner? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/09/how-did-robert-jenrick-go-from-centrist-tory-to-anti-immigration-hardliner |access-date=2024-12-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In August 2024 Jenrick stated that the Conservative party must always be a broad church, but needed foundational principles. He set out 10 principles as "a first attempt to outline what our common creed should be." These included that "market economics drive growth" and that "we need a small state that works".{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/17/conservatives-must-have-core-principles-around-which-we-can/|title=Conservatives must have core principles around which we can unite – here are my 10 propositions|first=Robert|last=Jenrick|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 August 2024}}

In September 2024 Jenrick indicated that if he were an American citizen then he would support Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election.{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Jitendra |date=2024-09-06 |title=Top Tory Robert Jenrick defends saying he'd vote for Donald Trump |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/conservatives-leadership-robert-jenrick-donald-trump-channel-crossings-b1180457.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Evening Standard |issn=2041-4404}} In February he had already argued that "There are areas we can learn from Donald Trump and the Republican Party, one of which is illegal migration" during a trip to the Mexico-United States border.{{Cite web |last1=Dathan |first1=Matt |last2=Tomlinson |first2=Hugh |date=2024-02-18 |title=Robert Jenrick: We can learn from Trump on immigration |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/robert-jenrick-we-can-learn-from-trump-on-immigration-7wxxdj2h5 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Times |issn=0140-0460}} In February 2025 Jenrick condemned Trump's handling of his meeting with Zelensky, stating that Churchill "would be turning in his grave if he saw that happen".{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-trump-volodymyr-zelensky-reactions-uk-b2706967.html | title=Churchill 'turning in his grave' as Trump faces British backlash | last=Devlin | first=Devlin | website=Independent.co.uk | date=28 February 2025 }}

Jenrick has publicly criticised the Labour government's policy of introducing VAT charges on tuition fees for private schools and said he would reverse the policy if he became prime minister.{{Cite news |last1=Riley-Smith |first1=Ben |last2=Maidment |first2=Jack |date=2024-09-13 |title=I would lift ban on new grammar schools, says Jenrick |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/13/jenrick-i-would-lift-ban-on-new-grammar-schools/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}} He is also a supporter of grammar schools, and said in September 2024 that he would support lifting the legal ban on the opening of new grammar schools.

In September 2024, Jenrick called for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and argued that doing so was necessary to remove asylum seekers more quickly.{{Cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Peter |last2=Stacey |first2=Kiran |last3=Crerar |first3=Pippa |date=2024-09-02 |title=Tory leadership frontrunners hit out at rivals' promises to leave ECHR |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/sep/02/kemi-badenoch-tory-leadership-campaign-launch-immigration |access-date=2024-10-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In October 2024, while standing to be leader of the Conservative Party, Jenrick suggested that British special forces were "killing rather than capturing terrorists because our lawyers tell us that if they're caught, the European court will set them free". In response, Grant Shapps, a former Defence Secretary, stated he had found "no evidence" to support Jenrick's claim.{{cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Robert Jenrick faces backlash over special forces killing claim |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp39q1ppk41o |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} Jenrick's comments were also criticised by two of the other leadership contenders, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat.

Jenrick was initially opposed to Brexit and voted Remain during the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum.{{cite web |url=https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109082518/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |access-date=2024-10-04|archive-date=9 January 2020 }} However, following the result, he voted in favour of triggering Article 50 to begin the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU and said attempts to frustrate initiating the Brexit process were "arrogant and undemocratic".{{cite web |url=https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/newark-mp-robert-jenrick-reveals-brexit-voting-intention-9060381/ |title=WBrexit vote: Newark MP Robert Jenrick will oppose delaying Article 50 |date=28 January 2019 |access-date=2024-10-04}}

In April 2024 Jenrick suggested that the UK government's overseas aid budget should be cut by 50 per cent with the savings used to increase spending on the British Armed Forces.{{Cite news |last=Shirreff |first=Lauren |date=2024-04-01 |title=Scrap tax cuts and boost defence spending, says former security minister |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/01/scrap-tax-cuts-boost-defence-spending-neville-jones/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}

In September 2024 Jenrick announced that he would refuse aid to countries that do not accept individuals whose asylum claims have been denied.{{Cite news |last=Stacey |first=Kiran |last2= |first2= |date=2024-09-26 |title=Robert Jenrick vows to cut aid to countries that do not take back refused asylum seekers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/sep/26/robert-jenrick-vows-to-cut-aid-to-countries-that-do-not-take-back-refused-asylum-seekers |access-date=2024-10-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

Jenrick is an opponent of mass immigration and has taken strong stances in favour of radically reducing both legal and illegal immigration and has been described as a "hardliner" on the issue.{{cite news |last1=Courea |first1=Eleni |last2=Mason |first2=Rowena |date=2024-08-09 |title=How did Robert Jenrick go from centrist Tory to anti-immigration hardliner? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/09/how-did-robert-jenrick-go-from-centrist-tory-to-anti-immigration-hardliner |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} He has advocated for the Home Office to be broken up into smaller departments, including an immigration department dedicated to border control and the reduction in immigration numbers.{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Faye |date=2024-05-08 |title=Home Office should be split in two to curb migration, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick says |url=https://news.sky.com/story/home-office-should-be-split-in-two-to-curb-migration-former-immigration-minister-robert-jenrick-says-13131371 |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=Sky News}} He has argued for denying visas to Indian migrants until the Indian government accepts the returns of illegal entrants into the United Kingdom.{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Surbhi Gloria |date=2024-09-30 |title='Deny visas to Indians until they take back illegal entrants': UK leaders |url=https://www.business-standard.com/finance/personal-finance/deny-visas-to-indians-until-they-take-back-illegal-entrants-uk-leaders-124093000481_1.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=Business Standard}} He has advocated for leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the European Court of Justice (ECJ), establishing a legally-binding cap on the numbers of visas of 10,000 per annum, and re-implementing the Rwanda deportation scheme.{{Cite news |last=Adu |first=Aletha |date=2024-08-02 |title=Robert Jenrick focuses Tory leadership bid on promises to cut immigration |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/02/robert-jenrick-focuses-tory-leadership-bid-on-promises-to-cut-immigration |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} He has also claimed that without a firm commitment to leaving the ECHR, the Conservative Party "will die".{{Cite news |last=Riley-Smith |first=Ben |date=2024-09-29 |title=Tory party will die if it doesn't plan to leave ECHR, Jenrick to claim |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/29/tory-party-die-does-not-plan-leave-echr-jenrick/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}

Jenrick also supports cutting foreign aid and spending and visas to any country which does not take back refused asylum seekers.{{Cite news |last=Stacey |first=Kiran |date=2024-09-26 |title=Robert Jenrick vows to cut aid to countries that do not take back refused asylum seekers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/sep/26/robert-jenrick-vows-to-cut-aid-to-countries-that-do-not-take-back-refused-asylum-seekers |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} He has proposed that the nationality, visa and asylum status of people convicted of a criminal offence should be recorded to ensure the UK is not "importing crime", and contends that "Too many of our businesses have become hooked on the drug of imported foreign labour".{{Cite news |last=Banfield-Nwachi |first=Mabel |date=2024-03-30 |title=Robert Jenrick calls for nationality data scheme to prevent UK 'importing crime' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/30/robert-jenrick-nationality-visa-asylum-status-data-crime-bill-amendment |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last1=Gimson |first1=Andrew |last2=Hill |first2=Henry |date=2024-04-23 |title=Interview: Jenrick on immigration. "Too many of our businesses have become hooked on the drug of imported foreign labour." |url=https://conservativehome.com/2024/04/23/interview-jenrick-condemns-the-government-for-promoting-mass-immigration-since-brexit/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=ConservativeHome}} In September 2024, he argued that English national identity was being undermined and damaged by mass immigration, multiculturalism, and "woke culture".{{Cite web |last=Culbertson |first=Alix |date=2024-09-20 |title=Conservative leadership contest: Robert Jenrick claims mass immigration and 'woke culture' put England's national identity at risk |url=https://news.sky.com/story/conservative-leadership-contest-robert-jenrick-claims-mass-immigration-and-woke-culture-put-englands-national-identity-at-risk-13218324 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Sky News}} He wrote in a column for the Daily Mail that "The combination of unprecedented migration, the dismantling of our national culture, non-integrating multiculturalism and the denigration of our identity has presented huge problems".{{Cite web |last=Allegretti |first=Aubrey |date=2024-09-20 |title=English identity is fraying, says Robert Jenrick |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/ignoring-migration-concern-risks-far-right-surge-says-robert-jenrick-hzbptx5xr |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}

Defending the Conservative government's Illegal Migration Bill in Parliament, Jenrick said in April 2023 that refugees crossing the English Channel "cannibalise" communities by importing "different lifestyles and values", which he said undermines "cultural cohesiveness" and that the "nation has a right to preserve itself, "Whilst it's impossible to determine the exact numbers, the basic fact is undeniable that the number of people who are willing and able to reach the UK today is astronomical and vastly outnumbers what we are capable or willing to take as a country." Jenrick said in May 2023 that "The refugee convention ... says that people should seek sanctuary, should seek asylum in the first safe country." The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees previously stated in 2021 that "there is no requirement under international law for asylum-seekers to seek protection in the first safe country they reach."

Jenrick supports designating Albania as a safe country for the purposes of asylum claims after there was an increase in Albanian nationals crossing the English channel, describing the country as demonstrably safe. He also described current levels of migration into the United Kingdom as unsustainable, with illegal migration likely to become an issue for many years to come.{{cite news |last=Gavin |first=Gordon |date=2022-12-04 |title=Albanians should be barred from claiming asylum in UK, says minister |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/albania-asylum-seekers-banned-braverman-jenrick-b2238494.html |access-date=2022-12-07 |work=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}} He has also said that "we must declare countries like Turkey, Brazil and Vietnam safe in law – these are holiday destinations, not war-torn hell-holes."

In the run up to a vote for an amendment to force a national inquiry into rape gangs in January 2025, Jenrick wrote on Twitter: "We have seen millions of people enter the UK in recent years and some of them have backward, frankly medieval attitudes to women [and that the rape gangs scandal] started with the onset of mass migration". The Liberal Democrats called for Kemi Badenoch to remove Jenrick from his frontbench role as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor over what they described as "divisive comments". A spokesman for Badenoch said this was a "distraction from the core issue" of protecting children from sexual abuse by the Liberal Democrats.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/07/politics-latest-news-jenrick-starmer-musk-farage-grooming/|title=Badenoch backs Jenrick after he calls for limit on immigration to UK from 'alien cultures'|first1=Jack|last1=Maidment|first2=Dominic|last2=Penna|first3=Genevieve|last3=Holl-Allen|date=7 January 2025|work=The Daily Telegraph}} Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper said: "Robert Jenrick's attempt to exploit this appalling scandal for his own political gain is completely shameless. He didn't lift a finger to help the victims when a minister, now he's jumping on the bandwagon and acting like a pound shop [Nigel] Farage." A spokesman for the leader of the Conservative Party wrote: "Robert Jenrick did an excellent job this morning explaining the pressing need for a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal." On 9 January 2025, Jenrick voted for the inquiry whilst all Liberal Democrats abstained.{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/how-your-mp-voted-grooming-gangs-inquiry-3469733?ITO=msn|title=How your MP voted on holding an inquiry into grooming gangs|first=Bill|last=McLoughlin|date=8 January 2025|website=The i Paper}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyvy4q82l9o|title=MPs vote against Tory call for new grooming gangs inquiry|website=www.bbc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/mps-vote-against-new-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-13285629|title=MPs vote against new national inquiry into grooming gangs|work=Sky News}}

Jenrick is a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel parliamentary group.{{cite web |title=robert jenrick {{!}} Search Results |url=https://cfoi.co.uk/communities-secretary-urges-all-local-councils-to-adopt-ihra-definition-of-antisemitism/ |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=CFI}}{{cite web |title=TheyWorkForYou |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/regmem/?p=25227 |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=TheyWorkForYou}} In July 2019, he spoke of his visit to Auschwitz concentration camp, "It had a huge impact on me and in particular because my wife is the daughter of Holocaust survivors from modern day Poland and Ukraine." Jenrick has said his connection to the Jewish community forms "a very important and integral part of my life".

Robert Jenrick has been a consistent defender of the State of Israel, including in its war against Hamas and Hezbollah. In October 2023 he denounced the BBC for failing to describe Hamas as a terrorist organisation.{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=2023-10-12 |title=BBC Gets Backlash for Not Calling Hamas 'Terrorists' in Coverage of Israel Attacks |url=https://variety.com/2023/politics/global/bbc-israel-hamas-terrorists-backlash-1235750630/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Variety}} In December 2023, Jenrick called for Israel to "finish the job" in its war with Hamas in Gaza.{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Ross |date=2023-12-19 |title=Robert Jenrick says Israel should 'finish the job' and slams ceasefire calls |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24000456.ex-minister-robert-jenrick-says-israel-finish-job-gaza/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The National}} During the 2024 United Kingdom riots, Jenrick said police should have "immediately arrested" protesters shouting Allahu Akbar (meaning "God is greater [than everything]"), arguing that the phrase was aggressive and intimidating due to its connection with Islamic terrorism. His comments prompted criticism from several Muslim MPs who argued that Jenrick linked all Muslims to extremism.{{cite news |last=Francis |first=Sam |date=2024-08-07 |title=Row over Tory MP's Allahu Akbar arrest call |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clynl828yp0o |access-date=2024-08-08 |work=BBC News}}

In late 2023, Jenrick intervened with the Home Office to request that Jordanian-Canadian student Dana Abu Qamar's visa be revoked after she said in an interview with Sky News that, in regards to the October 7th attack in Israel, "We are really, really full of joy of what happened."{{Cite news |last=Abdul |first=Geneva |date=2024-09-03 |title=Robert Jenrick inquired into revoking Palestinian student's visa, emails reveal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/sep/03/robert-jenrick-inquired-into-revoking-palestinian-students-visa-emails-reveal |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} On 1 December, the UK government decided to revoke her visa stating that Abu Qamar's presence in the UK was "not conducive to the public good". The European Legal Support Center, which provides legal support for pro-Palestinian activists, criticised the decision in a statement: "For a government minister to personally and arbitrarily intervene to remove a Palestinian student from the country and suppress her speech while her family are being killed in Gaza is truly unconscionable". Jenrick suggested that visitors to the UK would be removed if they incited antisemitism, adding that there was a "legal process that must be followed properly".

In September 2024, during the Conservative Party leadership campaign, he promised to move Britain's embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying that "If the Foreign Office or the civil servants don’t want to do it, I will build it myself."{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=David |date=2024-09-29 |title=Israel criticism has 'crossed all sane boundaries', Andrew Mitchell claims |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/andrew-mitchell-people-james-cleverly-robert-jenrick-israel-b1184898.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Evening Standard |issn=2041-4404}} He also argued that Israel "cannot be expected to live alongside terrorists, whether that’s Hamas or Hezbollah", and that he wants the United Kingdom to be "the most welcoming country in the world for Israelis and for the Jewish community."{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Archie |date=2024-09-29 |title=Israel should be 'congratulated' for Hassan Nasrallah assassination, Badenoch says |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/israel-hezbollah-badenoch-tory-jenrick-b2620769.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}}{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Archie |date=2024-09-30 |title=Jenrick says Star of David should be displayed at every point of entry to the UK |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/robert-jenrick-israel-tory-conference-b2621106.html |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}} In August 2024, he called on the British government to proscribe the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.{{Cite news |last=Jenrick |first=Robert |date=2024-09-17 |title=Starmer must not break promise to proscribe Iran's IRGC |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/17/irgc-iran-terrorism-labour-starmer-lammy-proscribe-pledge/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}

In April 2025, a recording of Jenrick speaking to a student political society the previous month came to light. In it, following remarks about Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, he stated that:

:"I want the fight to be united. And so, one way or another, I’m determined to do that and to bring this coalition together and make sure we unite as a nation as well."

This raised concerns that he was seeking to move toward a coalition or electoral alliance between Reform UK and the Conservative Party.{{Cite web |title=Robert Jenrick vows to 'bring coalition together' to end Tory-Reform fight |url=https://news.sky.com/story/robert-jenrick-vows-to-bring-coalition-together-to-end-tory-reform-fight-13354004 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Sky News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Emma Morgan, Alannah |date=2025-04-23 |title=UK politics latest: Robert Jenrick hints at Tory-Reform electoral pact |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/uk-politics-latest-tory-reform-labour-starmer-3654615 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2025-04-23 |title=Jenrick vows to unite Tories and Reform in leaked audio |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/04/23/jenrick-vows-to-unite-tories-and-reform-in-leaked-audio/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} The leaders of both parties had both previously stated that no such deal was on the table.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-23 |title=Jenrick signals Tory-Reform pact with promise to 'unite the right' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jenrick-farage-badenoch-reform-election-b2737823.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

Later on 25 April 2025, he said on ITV's Good Morning Britain in response to being asked about the earlier comments: “Well look, Kemi Badenoch and I are on exactly the same page. Kemi has been very clear there won’t be a pact with Reform, and I’ve said time and again that I want to put Reform out of business. I want to send Nigel Farage back to retirement."{{Cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=2025-04-25 |title=Robert Jenrick rules out Tory pact with Reform UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/apr/25/robert-jenrick-rules-out-tory-pact-with-reform-uk-nigel-farage |access-date=2025-05-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

Jenrick is married to Michal Berkner. She is nine years older than Jenrick,{{Cite news |last=Kenber |first=Billy |date=2020-06-24 |title=Tories gave Robert Jenrick home renovation the go-ahead |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/tories-gave-robert-jenrick-home-renovation-the-go-ahead-9s6580zkm |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}} and is the grandchild of Holocaust survivors.{{Cite news |last=Hymas |first=Charles |date=2023-02-19 |title=Robert Jenrick: 'Taking in a Ukrainian family was one of the most rewarding things I've done' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/02/19/immigration-minister-robert-jenrick-hosting-ukrainian-refugees/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}{{cite web |author=Harpin |first=Lee |date=2019-07-26 |title=New Communities Secretary visits Golders Green |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/new-communities-secretary-visits-golders-green-1.486853 |accessdate=2021-06-15 |work=The Jewish Chronicle}} She is an Israeli-born and US-educated corporate lawyer who practises mainly in London. Together, they have three daughters, whom they are bringing up in the Jewish faith.{{Cite news |last=Harpin |first=Lee |date=2019-07-26 |title=New Communities Secretary visits Golders Green |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/new-communities-secretary-visits-golders-green-1.486853 |access-date=2019-09-15 |work=The Jewish Chronicle}}

In 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Jenrick's family took in a Ukrainian refugee family.{{Cite news |last=Faulkner |first=Doug |date=2022-04-15 |title=Homes for Ukraine: Robert Jenrick takes in Ukrainian refugee family |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61122240 |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=BBC News}} He was the first British MP to do so, but critics{{who|date=January 2025}} remarked that they were housed in his taxpayer-funded Newark home.{{Cite web |last=Zeffman |first=Henry |date=2022-04-15 |title=Robert Jenrick, the first MP to take in Ukrainian refugees, says scheme is overly bureaucratic |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/robert-jenrick-the-first-mp-to-take-in-ukrainian-refugees-says-scheme-is-overly-bureaucratic-jv8x5cjbw |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}

Jenrick owns three homes, including two in London, one of which is a £2.5m townhouse less than a mile from the Houses of Parliament. He also owns Eye Manor, a Grade I listed building in Herefordshire which he purchased for £1.1 million in 2009.{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Jim |title=The UK Treasury's Robert Jenrick talks to Business Insider about inequality, productivity and GDP growth in the UK |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/interview-with-robert-jenrick-mp-2018-4 |date=22 April 2018|access-date=10 April 2020 |work=Business Insider}}{{Cite web |last=Milner |first=Leah |date=25 July 2019 |title=Who is the new housing secretary Robert Jenrick? |url=https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/who-is-the-new-housing-secretary-robert-jenrick/ |access-date=10 April 2020 |publisher=Mortgage Strategy}} His constituency of Newark is {{convert|150|mile}} from his family home in Herefordshire.{{cite news |last=McGuinness |first=Alan |date=10 April 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Downing Street backs minister who travelled 150 miles to 'family home' during lockdown |publisher=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-housing-secretary-robert-jenrick-defends-visiting-elderly-parents-during-lockdown-11971420 |access-date=10 April 2020}} He rents a £2,000-per-month property in his Newark constituency, which is paid for by the MPs' second homes allowance.{{cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Hope (journalist) |date=2024-04-09 |title=Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick drives 150 miles to second home during coronavirus lockdown |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/04/09/cabinet-minister-robert-jenrick-drove-40-miles-visit-parents/ |access-date=2020-04-09 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}

In April 2023, Jenrick was disqualified from driving for six months and fined £1,639 after travelling at {{convert|68|mph}} in a {{convert|40|mph|abbr=on}} speed limit zone on the M1 in August 2022. Jenrick said he accepted the court's decision and that he did not see a variable speed limit which had been applied on the motorway. It was reported that Jenrick had previously been fined £307 and given three penalty points in March for exceeding the speed limit on the A40 in west London in August 2021.{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Faye |date=2023-04-05 |title=Immigration minister Robert Jenrick banned from driving for six months for speeding |url=https://news.sky.com/story/immigration-minister-robert-jenrick-banned-from-driving-for-six-months-for-speeding-12849880 |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=Sky News |publisher=}}

{{reflist}}

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• {{Official website|https://www.robertjenrick.com}}{{UK MP links | parliament = robert-jenrick/4320 | publicwhip = Robert_Jenrick | theywork = robert_jenrick }}
• {{C-SPAN|100858}}

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Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:People educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School

Category:Alumni of St John's College, Cambridge

Category:People from Newark-on-Trent

Category:Christie's people

Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:English lawyers

Category:English businesspeople

Category:Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom people

Category:University of Pennsylvania fellows

Category:UK MPs 2010–2015

Category:UK MPs 2015–2017

Category:UK MPs 2017–2019

Category:UK MPs 2019–2024

Category:UK MPs 2024–present

Category:Sullivan & Cromwell people

Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom

Category:Alumni of BPP University

Category:Shadow cabinet of Kemi Badenoch