An expert group will help prepare a blueprint for the future direction of housing policy in Scotland.

The Scottish Government-backed Housing Policy Advisory Group (HPAG) will bring together members drawn from local authorities, house builders, the housing association movement and housing interest groups.

It will provide strategic advice on issues detailed in the forthcoming housing policy reform discussion document.

The new group takes over from the Housing Supply Task Force, which was formed in 2007 to examine ways of increasing the supply of new housing in Scotland, and which published its final report today.

In Edinburgh today, delivering the keynote address at the housing industry Homes for Scotland awards lunch, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "Everyone agrees that over the next few years public spending will be cut to the bone.

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"With that in mind, traditional methods of providing and investing in affordable housing, while guaranteeing value for taxpayers' money, require a radical rethink.

"Next week, the Scottish Government will publish a discussion document to launch a debate on how we meet the challenges facing housing over the next five years and beyond.

"More than at any time before, there is an urgent need to adopt fresh thinking and new ideas to support increased supply, enhance the quality of existing stock and improve the efficiency of the housing system.

"The Housing Policy Advisory Group will pick up where the Housing Supply Task Force left off, helping to drive forward and give clear direction to that process."

The Housing Supply Task Force was created in 2007.

The new Housing Policy Advisory Group includes the following members: COSLA: Councillor Harry McGuigan, Spokesperson for Community Health and Wellbeing Homes for Scotland: Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive Scottish Federation of Housing Associations: Andrew Field, Deputy Chief Executive Council of Mortgage Lenders: Kennedy Foster, Policy Consultant Chartered Institute of Housing: Alan Ferguson, Scotland Director Heads of Planning Scotland: Brian Frater, Head of Planning and Building Standards, Scottish Borders Council.

Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO): Ritchie Johnson, Director of Housing and Social Work, Aberdeenshire Council Consumer Focus Scotland: Sarah O'Neill, Head of Policy.

Shelter: Graeme Brown, Scotland Director Social Tenant Representative: Kevin Paterson, Glasgow and Western Isles Regional Network Scottish Property Federation: David Melhuish, Director Independent Living in Scotland: Bill Scott, ILiS Steering Group.

(GK)