Deputy prime minister’s conference speech is thought to include details on an initiative for rural housing

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg could announce a new initiative around creating more rural affordable housing in his speech to the Liberal Democrat conference today.

Speaking at a fringe event yesterday, junior communities minister Andrew Stunnell said those concerned about getting more housing built in rural areas should “study Nick Clegg’s conference speech very carefully tomorrow.”

The party’s press office refused to clarify what, if anything the Liberal Democrat leader will announce on the issue. The issue was not covered in excerpts of Clegg’s speech released to the media this morning.

Clegg is expected to say: “People have got used to us being outsiders, against every government that’s come along. Maybe we got used to it ourselves. But the door to the change we want was opened, for the first time in most of our lifetimes. Imagine if we have turned away. How could we ever again have asked the voters to take us seriously?”

He will also echo an announcement made by Treasury economic secretary Danny Alexander that the Coalition will clamp down on tax avoidance by the rich.

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