An
extra 25,000 affordable homes could be created in London for essential workers
over the next 15 years by building accommodation over commercial properties.
This
is the conclusion of a report by the Department for Transport, Local Government
and the Regions which sets out ways in which affordable property could be built
over existing supermarkets, car parks, shops, garages and other low rise
developments.
The
department has also set up a new affordable housing unit to deliver cheaper
housing to essential workers throughout London.
Planning
minister Lord Falconer said: “London’s population is rising. This is putting
greater and greater pressure on available land. This land is at a premium but
so are the people needed to work in essential jobs. We have to think creatively
about how we provide decent homes to keep the city working.”
Unions
have also called for all 86,000 civil servants in London to receive a pay boost
and be classified as essential workers to help them afford to live and work in
the capital
In a joint submission to the GLA London Weighting Panel the
Public and Commercial Services Union and the Council of Civil Service Unions
called for more consistency in London allowances and a pay supplement across
the board to deal with the high cost of living.
