Councils have been given new powers to help them 'Get Britain Building'.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis confirmed that 22 councils will be able to borrow an additional £122 million over the next 2 years to deliver over 1,700 new affordable homes.

However with £178 million still available, Mr Lewis argued that more councils should be putting themselves forward.

16 councils have been given the go-ahead to borrow £62 million in additional funds to deliver over 1,000 new affordable homes.

-- Advertisement --

Mr Lewis confirmed that a further £60 million borrowing would be made available including to 6 new councils.

Mr Lewis said: "Today, I'm giving borrowing powers to 22 councils who over the next 2 years will use that to build over 1,700 new affordable homes for their communities.

"It's one of the many things we've done that have got Britain building – with housebuilding levels now at their highest since 2007 and climbing.

"But with £178 million additional borrowing still up for grabs I want more councils to do their bit, to follow in the footsteps of these 22, and bid for the very powers they asked for."

(CD/MH)