The former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo is to speak at the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) finance conference later this month, where he will outline the likely impact of a new government on the social housing sector.

Environment Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies has today announced that £2.6 million will be allocated to 34 schemes in areas at high risk of flooding, enabling 532 households to benefit from practical flood protection solutions such as air bricks covers, storm porches, door guards and flood boards.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has joined forces with the Landscape Institute to run Future Vision 2010 - the annual student award scheme to find bright ideas for better places – for the next two years.

Work is underway on Highbury Gardens, a major new £29 million residential scheme in Islington.