19
Jun
Healey makes first speech as housing minister
John Healey made his inaugural speech as housing and planning
minister during the opening day of the Chartered Institute of
Housing (CIH) Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday.
He recently took on the role following a cabinet reshuffle by prime
minister Gordon Brown - a move that also saw Ian Austin join the
Communities and Local Government department as the minister
responsible for the private rented sector.
Mr Healey addressed the large crowd and fended off questions from
an array of delegates in attendance.
His CIH speech included a call for local government to have more of
a role in UK housing by being given more scope to build, commission
and allocate housing in light of the needs of local people.
Exhibitors at the event, which is running until June 18th at
Harrogate International Centre, Yorkshire, include estate agent
Savills, housing intelligence organisation Hometrack and the
National House-Building Council.
