The National Housing Federation (NHF) has welcomed the appointment of Margaret Beckett as the new Housing Minister.

The MP for Derby South replaces Caroline Flint, who becomes Minister of State for Europe. Ms Flint had been Housing Minister since January 2008.

NHF Assistant Director Helen Williams welcomed Ms Flint's appointment saying: "With her wealth of experience in government, Ms Beckett will be well qualified for the job.

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"Given the current economic climate, she will have a number of issues to address. But her immediate priority should be to bring forward the social housebuilding budget to allow housing associations to continue to deliver the homes we need in these difficult economic times.

"Ms Beckett also needs to recognise that, given the global credit crunch, housing associations need more grant per home to make up for the shortfall in private finance currently available."

(CD/JM)