October’s cabinet reshuffle saw Margaret Beckett replace Caroline Flint as housing minister. Beckett is MP for Derby South and was deputy leader of the Labour party from 1992 to 1994, briefly becoming the party’s leader following the death of John Smith in 1994. On October 20, Beckett announced the first phase of the government’s new National Clearing House that was detailed as part of a range of housing measures in the summer. The clearing house, launched by the Housing Corporation, enables housebuilders to put forward their unsold stock for use as affordable housing, and receive feedback on whether their stock is suitable for purchase. The government will buy all the suitable properties; with this first £13 million phase (out of an initial £200 million tranche) 335 affordable homes will be available, mainly for social rent for those across the country who would otherwise be on a council waiting list. <br>