Construction union UCATT have renewed their call for urgent investment in building new council housing, following a survey by housing charity Shelter which revealed that there are fewer than 10% of affordable homes for sale in more than half of local authorities in England.

The average house now costs £252,418. House prices increased by 2.8% last month and in London they increased on average by 10%.

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Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "This survey underlines the growing housing crisis. This is only going to be resolved by fundamentally altering our housing system and dramatically increasing the number of council homes being built."

There are currently nearly 5 million people on council housing waiting lists. Last month Government figures revealed that 2,090 families had been placed in bed and breakfast, accommodation, an 8% increase on the previous year and the highest level for 10 years.

(CD/MH)