London Councils welcomes moves to strengthen government housing policy

London Councils' Executive Member for Housing Councillor Jamie Carswell has today welcomed Gordon Brown's announcement that the housing minister will now attend Cabinet meetings. 

This move will ensure that housing issues will be central to future government policy, and help address the severe shortage of homes - which is a huge problem in London.

Welcoming the move, Councillor Jamie Carswell said:

"Gordon Brown's announcement that the housing minister will now attend Cabinet meetings demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing the affordable housing shortage - a commitment we at London Councils share.

"Nowhere else feels this shortage as acutely as in London - where high house prices and a chronic shortfall of affordable homes have contributed to a growing crisis. We need to build 15,000 new affordable homes a year in London to tackle this crisis - but this can only be achieved through greater government investment.

"London Councils estimates that we need an annual investment of £1.3 billion to supply these new homes - a 50 per cent increase on the amount currently allocated to London.

"We applaud the government's promise to ensure that tackling the housing shortage will become a central element of its policy - and having a housing minister in Cabinet meetings will be crucial to achieving this. So too will be ensuring that the capital's councils are properly funded to meet the increasing demands of its growing population. We eagerly await the unveiling of Gordon Brown's new Cabinet - and look forward to working with the new housing minister to ensure that London's needs are listened to." 

For press enquiries please contact: Chris Hogwood on 020 7934 9757Chris.hogwood@londoncouncils.gov.uk   Fax 020 7934 9769

For non-media enquiries contact: London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL  Tel 020 7934 9999www.londoncouncils.gov.uk

London Councils is committed to fighting for more resources for London and getting the best possible deal for London's 33 councils. We develop policy, lobby government and others, and run a range of services designed to make life better for Londoners.