As part of their Structural Reform Plan, CLG has committed to developing proposals to bring more empty homes back into use. We are producing a NHC Discussion Paper exploring the barriers that members face in bringing empty homes back into use and sharing the positive practice that you are generating. We will then host a Policy Exchange roundtable discussion in November to further debate how the North can respond to this key government agenda. If you would like to contribute to this debate please contact Charlotte Harrison via Charlotte.Harrison@northern-consortium.org.uk or Satty.Rai@northern-consortium.org.uk

The Department of Work and Pensions recently set out a discussion document exploring the future of welfare. We would welcome responses from NHC members on its proposals

The importance of knowing, understanding and responding to your customers is understood by all customer-facing organisations - both within the public and private sector. The Northern Housing Consortium is working with our Members to assist them in effectively utilising the information they have on their tenants to drive service improvement and satisfaction levels.

Consortium Procurement are delighted to announce that York Housing Association has become the most recent Member to call off from the Gas Servicing & Maintenance Framework taking the total number of call off's from the framework, to 10.

We have welcomed the recent announcements on government efforts to improve social mobility. The news that Alan Milburn will become social mobility tsar further highlights the government's promotion of social mobility to the top of their social agenda.

Oue annual Private Sector Housing Conference is being held at York Racecourse on 9th November. This well attended event is being held a little later than usual this year due to Government and regulatory changes

The first ever Annual Energy Statement was launched on 27th July, this briefing paper highlights some of the key proposals announced by the Coalition Government

The Northern Housing Summit 23rd and 24th November, York Racecourse Housing in the North - What does the future look like? 2010 - A new Coalition Government, continuing economic uncertainty, massive public sector cutbacks, the potential to end lifetime tenancies,

For many working in today's current environment these are unprecedented times. The pressures of financial belt tightening, business restructuring and demands of "more for less" are putting a real strain on organisations wanting to deliver real service excellence.

Housemark have published their toolkit to developing the annual report to tenants, which is a current requirement of TSA; the toolkit highlights how to develop the annual report to tenants, feeding in the local standards and local offers.

The Work and Pensions Committee announced last week that they would be launching a second inquiry of the new parliament into the Impact of the Changes to Housing Benefit announced in June 2010 budget. Written evidence has been invited by 6th September 2010.

DWP have commissioned Professor Malcolm Harrington to undertake an independent review of Work Capability Assessment. The call for evidence period runs from 28th July through to 10th September 2010