News from London Assembly Labour

Boris claims credit for new housing started by Labour

Despite failing to deliver his key election pledge on housing, Conservative Mayor of London Boris Johnson today attempts to claim credit for new homes projects started by Labour.

Commenting on Boris Johnson’s visit to a housing project in Labour-run Greenwich this morning and his claim that he has delivered 20,000 affordable homes across London since becoming Mayor, Labour’s housing spokesperson on the London Assembly, NICKY GAVRON said:

“You almost have to admire Boris’s chutzpah in taking credit for homes he has had nothing to do with. These were started long before he was in City Hall and if he had been in charge with the policies he has you can guarantee they wouldn’t have happened.”

Housing and Planning Minister JOHN HEALEY said:

“At a time when London’s need for new affordable homes has never been higher, the truth is the Mayor wants to cut back. He has powers that no other elected politician has, but he is not using his influence to the full. London needs an ambitious Mayor with ambitious plans for affordable housing if is to be a successful global city and a fair place to live.”

Minister for London TESSA JOWELL said:

“20,000 extra affordable homes are welcome. But the fact is many of these were started under Ken Livingstone’s Labour administration. And to be fair, Boris should acknowledge this.

“London’s economy needs affordable housing as much as Londoners want affordable homes to live in.

“That’s why it’s disappointing that the Mayor’s pledge for 50,000 new affordable homes will be broken, while his proposals on affordable housing mean there will be fewer housing opportunities available to those Londoners who need them most.”

Leader of Greenwich Council CHRIS ROBERTS said:

“We are delighted that Mayor Johnson should visit a housing development in Greenwich. Planning for the development began in 2006 when Greenwich Council agreed to sell the land to a housing association. Funding was then identified from central Government and Greenwich Council granted planning permission on 18 May 2008, within days of Mayor Johnson’s election.

“It is completely disingenuous for the Mayor to now claim this development is part of his own housing strategy for London which has in fact seen the axing of the 50% affordable housing target for new homes. He has also shown clear support for Conservative councils in west and central London to reduce or eliminate social housing from developments in their boroughs.”

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