Five of London’s key swing seats in today’s general election are failing to deliver sufficient housing, according to research by JLL for EG.
The Conservative-controlled Harrow East; Liberal Democrat-controlled Hornsey & Wood Green and Brent Central; and Labour-controlled Hammersmith and Hampstead & Kilburn are all located in boroughs where housing completions are more than 80% beneath the Greater London Authority’s delivery targets and represent four out of the top five worst offenders in the capital.
Harrow, second only to Kensington and Chelsea for failure to deliver housing, is 87% below targets, with Brent 85% , Hammersmith & Fulham 84% and Haringey 83%.
In total, 13 of London’s 73 constituencies are considered marginal or swing seats where a circa 5% swing in the vote could be enough to determine a change of control.
Housing undersupply is a critical London-wide issue with the most recent data from the Department of Communities and Local Government showing completions in 2013/14 totalled 17,950, some 56% below the GLA’s annual target of 40,776.
JLL head of residential research Adam Challis said: “A lack of new home construction is a national problem, but in London it is a vital election issue. It is incredible to note that some of the weakest housing delivery rates against targets are in boroughs where the election outcome hangs in the balance.”
Click on the map below to see who is delivering housing targets. Key swing seats and party in control are shown in colour. Black indicates a Labour/ Lib Dem coalition. This map will be updated tomorrow to reflect the election outcome.
nadia.elghamry@estatesgazette.com
Can’t see the map below? Click here
