Home building slumps by two thirds

The number of homes being built in London has dropped by almost two thirds in a year.

The National Housebuilding Council registered 3,722 new homes started on sites between March and May, compared with the relatively small 9,123 last year.

The low rate of new building applies equally to the private and public sectors, casting renewed doubts on the ability of Mayor

Boris Johnson to deliver tens of thousands of new affordable homes in his second term. A City Hall spokesman would not comment.

Kay Boycott, campaigns, policy and communications director at Shelter, said: “Despite lots of talk in the mayoral election of building more homes, these numbers show they simply aren’t being delivered.

“With house building a key lever to boost economic growth and provide jobs in the capital, we

now need to see bold and urgent action from the Mayor.”