Government plans to increase the number of affordable homes and allow councils to keep all the receipts from rent collections and right to buy proceeds have been welcomed by London Councils.

As he marks his first year as Mayor of London Boris Johnson has published his Annual Report, detailing the successes and policies he wants Londoners to note. Meanwhile a second report from the Progressive London group provides a less rosy view of the Mayor’s performance so far.

Refurbishing empty homes may not always be the best option for tackling the shortage of supply of affordable housing according to Trevor Beattie the Homes and Communities Agency’s director of policy and strategy.

South London’s Southwark council is looking to identify disused spaces on its estates which it can use to increase the amount of housing stock in the borough. The Hidden Homes scheme has been tasked with finding empty garages, laundrettes and disused offices which can be renovated.

Council tenants are to benefit from a lower than expected rent increase after Ministers changed the guidance issued to local authorities in light of falling inflation levels. Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced that the average guideline increase of 6.2 per cent is to be reduced to 3.1 per cent.