Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

News

HEADLINES:
Mayor Boris Johnson

Mayor: I'm ready to sue Government on housing

Mira Bar-Hillel, Property Correspondent
04.08.09

Boris Johnson is threatening to take the Government to court to prevent London losing more than £100million of new money for housing.

The Mayor believes that the capital is not getting its fair share of £1.5billion of extra cash pledged by the Prime Minister to kick-start the construction industry out of recession.

He claims the money is being redirected out of London to house-building projects in the North, and that ministers have "ridden roughshod" over his right to be consulted on housing budgets.

Though his advisers say the Mayor is not looking at legal action as a first option, they have warned he is prepared to seek a judicial review in the High Court over the Government's failure to consult. The Government claims there are no grounds for such a challenge.

Richard Blakeway, the Mayor's housing adviser, said: "We would prefer not to have a fight with the Government over this, but a number of new laws have reinforced the Mayor's role and London's independence in housing matters."

Mr Johnson pledged to build 50,000 affordable homes across London by 2011. Of the £1.5billion announced by Gordon Brown, half is being allocated across the English regions, with London receiving £207million.

City Hall claims that the capital should have received £315million.

It claims that London has lost out because the Government has abandoned a formula for sharing money across the English regions, in the hope that as many new homes are built as quickly as possible.

Construction projects in London are typically more expensive and take longer to complete.

Mr Johnson said: "I am looking at how I can use my powers to win back London's rightful share of new housing funds, and reverse those decisions that condemn many of London's poorest families to live in unacceptably poor conditions."

The Department for Communities and Local Government said London was £200million better off as a result of the Prime Minister's pledge. Last week, a £170million "kick-start" scheme was unveiled to restart work on 2,240 unfinished homes in the capital.

Reader views (5)

 Add your view

Why should London get preference over other regions. there are thousands of homeless people in the midlands and north, but London id only fit for office blocks and expensive high rise apartments. Boris is living up to his name, the owl of the remove.!
T H Leeds

- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK

it the mayor failed to invest in homes who can afford it.

- Andy, London

Mmm by the time it goes to court wont he be suing Dave Cameron government? Mind you not that we know their policies since they've not botehred to have many in this one horse race, guess they know they cant loose so why bother.

- Carla, London

So what happened to the millions of pounds raised under the right to buy law brought in by Thatcher given that she stopped councils using this money to build replacement properties. This is the route of to-days housing crisis - Another fine mess Tory Governments create.

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex

This is brilliant news!

This is what the opposition should also be doing.

This is what we should all be doing.

- Peter Thurgood, London, UK


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss
  • Lenny Henry

    Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

    As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels
  • John and Edward

    Spread of the Jedhead

    Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.