Live blog: 18th Dec

8.15am

Good morning all!

For the early risers, there are a couple of important stories that Inside Housing broke last night. Firstly, Mark Harper, the minister of state for disabled people, claimed yesterday in Parliament that a drop in housing waiting lists was a result of … that’s right, the bedroom tax! Of course, waiting list numbers have been slashed in recent years, but as a direct result of changes to allocations policies following new powers under the Localism Act. Pete Apps myth busts the claim here.

Westminster council has come under fire from Labour councillors for ‘exporting the housing crisis’ through moving nearly half of its homeless families into temporary accommodation outside of the borough. The numbers, uncovered by the council’s Labour leader Paul Dimoldenberg, make interesting reading. Families have been moved to cheaper parts of outer London and as of December are staying in areas such as Newham (267 families)), as well as to Milton Keynes (3 families), Thurrock (44 families) and Southend on Sea (14 families). Inside Housing will have a story up on this shortly.

A vast 24,000 home development linked to HS2 will be delivered in west London through a Mayoral Development Corporation. The Mayor’s Office is aiming for 30-35% affordable housing, but London Labour wants 50%.

And finally, we are expecting the local government finance settlement later today. Details to follow…