Government is raiding London’s housing budget, says Boris
BORIS Johnson is throwing the gauntlet down in a challenge to the Government for “raiding” London’s housing budget and sending the cash up north. London’s share of the nation’s affordable housing’ budget is being slashed and cash is being diverted to the regions
BORIS Johnson is throwing the gauntlet down in a challenge to the Government for “raiding” London’s housing budget and sending the cash up north.
Our share of the nation’s affordable housing’ budget is being slashed and cash is being diverted to the regions.
The North East, for example, gets its share of the budget doubled, when it only has 300 households in temporary accommodation compared to 48,000 in London.
The Government may have acted outside its remit, set out in current legislation, the Mayor believes.
Boris is seeking advice on whether the decisions are open to legal challenge.
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“I am looking at how I can use my powers to win back London’s rightful share and reverse those decisions that condemn our poorest families to live in unacceptably poor conditions,” he said in a statement from City Hall.
“If the Government won’t live up to commitments made to council tenants, I will guarantee making up for these broken promises and making sure this funding gap is filled.”
One of the worst areas for overcrowding in Britain is Tower Hamlets in East London, the country’s most deprived borough, with is massive 20,000 housing waiting list.
Boris has sent a letter to Communities & Local Government Minister John Healey with his concerns that cash is being diverted away from London by “raiding budgets” earmarked for improving 100,000 poorest-quality social housing.
