In taking over from Tony Blair as prime minister, Gordon Brown has been keen to make his own mark on government, and over the past month has announced a largely new cabinet, new departments and a legislative statement pre-empting the traditional Queen's speech. The latter included 23 bills for the forthcoming parliamentary session and clearly signalled the importance of housing in Brown's new era.

The key new appointment at CLG is Hazel Blears as secretary of state. Yvette Cooper continues in the role of housing minister, but now attends cabinet. Also in the department are minister John Healey, and under-secretaries Baroness Andrews, Parmjit Dhanda and Iain Wright.

Regional ministers have also been appointed from across government with Liam Byrne for the West Midlands, Ben Bradshaw for the South-west, Jonathan Shaw for the South-east, Caroline Flint for Yorkshire and the Humber, Barbara Follett for the east of England, Beverley Hughes for the North-west, Gillian Merron for the East Midlands, Tessa Jowell representing London and deputy chief whip Nick Brown appointed minister for the North-east.

UK parliament bills

Housing and Regeneration Bill

Centrepiece of the prime minister’s housing strategy. Legislation will allow English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation to be merged to form Communities England and facilitate the re-use of public land to deliver more affordable homes.

Planning Reform Bill

Implements the findings of the Eddington review of transport and the Barker review of land use planning with the aim of speeding up the workings of the planning system.

Planning Gain Supplement Bill

The proposal to introduce a tax on the uplift in land value generated by development has been put on the back burner and will only be pursued if no better alternative can be found.

Local Transport Bill

Will pave the way for local authority road pricing schemes.

Source

RegenerateLive