Margaret Beckett MP, Minister for Housing and Planning and a line up of economic and business experts including Chief US Economist, Dr Ian Shepherdson, will open the UK's largest housing conference on 16 June in Harrogate.

Over 1,500 delegates will hear how the biggest economic downturn since 1945 is impacting on the housing market, with a sharp decline in affordable housing and the rise in repossessions, and how the government and housing and community leaders should respond.

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Other speakers include Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of England's housing and regeneration body, the Homes and Communities Agency, on new ways to build more homes in the current climate; Niall Dickson of the health charity the Kings Fund on building housing services around the individual; Anthony Mayer of the social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority on the harsh economic climate and regulation; and Minister Iain Wright on young people's housing aspirations.

(CD/JM)