8 September 2011: A report released today by lobby group the Pro Housing Alliance claims that housing conditions in the UK are among the worst in Western Europe and cost the country £7 billion in costs to the NHS, social services and education. Alongside its main report, Recommendations for the Reform of UK Housing Policy, is a supplement focused on the capital called the Housing Crisis on London, where the authors state that the situation is particularly bleak.
The London report lists a long of very significant problems with the housing market here, but the report also highlights that:
- The condition of the London stock is worse than national in several respects such as state of repair, security and energy efficiency
- Energy efficiency (SAP) ratings tend to be lower in London than elsewhere
- Carbon emissions higher; and
- Summer overheating more of a problem because of the ‘heat island’ effect
These will be issues which the Mayor will need to look at through the current process (launched last week) of revising London’s housing strategy.