There was a surprise story featuring Andrew Stunell released on the CLG website at some point on Monday 10th January, entitled "New incentives to tackle the blight of empty homes".  This describes the New Homes Bonus and encourages people to report empties to their council so the council can take action.  It says "Under plans recently consulted on, the Government will match through the New Homes Bonus any council tax raised from a property that previously stood empty."  This seems designed to balance the Eric Pickles announcement on EDMOs but it certainly also suggests that the NHB plans are proceeding.