Boroughs championing new homes in the capital 

Commenting on the announcement today of a significant increase in the number of new homes built in London in 2006/7, London Councils' Executive Member for Housing Councillor Jamie Carswell said:

"These figures prove how committed the boroughs are to delivering the new homes Londoners need. It is clear that borough councils are best-placed to understand and deliver the housing their communities want.

While we are obviously pleased that the boroughs have surpassed the Mayor's targets for new homes in London, it is important to stress that housing in the capital is not simply a numbers game. We must ensure housing works for Londoners - be they first-time buyers struggling to get onto the property ladder, or social housing tenants striving for work.

This is why London Councils recently unveiled its new vision for homes in London which aims to tackle affordability and aspiration in the capital's housing market. I would encourage the Mayor to familiarise himself with its proposals and work to support the boroughs in delivering on its ambitions.

In this spirit of co-operation, I welcome the fact that the new Homes and Communities Agency Board for London - which will be chaired by the Mayor - will also include borough representatives. The boroughs are ideally placed to understand what their communities need from new housing, and it is vital they are listened to. I hope that this will mark the beginning of a new era of co-operation between the boroughs, the Mayor and the HCA to ensure all Londoners get the homes they need."