London candidates make homes pledge

The London mayoral candidates of the three main political parties have all pledged to increase the level of housebuilding in the capital if elected.

Following the release earlier this week of current office holder Ken Livingstone's plan to create 50,000 affordable new homes in three years, the trio, which also included Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick, met for a debate on the issue in which all pledged to tackle both the affordability issue and that of rough sleeping.

Mr Johnson said he would take a "flexible" approach rather than copying Mr Livingstone's target-orientated method.

Affordability is a major issue in London because house prices there are so much more expensive than anywhere else in the country.

Land Registry figures published today show that in February the average London home was £123,043 more costly than one in the south-east, the next dearest region.

Those not living in parts of the country where large-scale action on affordable homes has not been promised may consider the self-build option to get on the housing ladder.


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