Today I led a Westminster Hall Debate on Social Housing Occupancy Levels, an issue I have been campaigning on since I become a Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green in 2015 and before that a London Council Leader.  Watch my speech in full below.

Each week, I speak to constituents who are living in overcrowded social housing, waiting many years for suitable housing. In Haringey, over 13,000 people are on the council housing waiting list and 1,053 people are estimated to be living in overcrowded council homes and 871 private sector tenants in the highest social housing priority are overcrowded or severely overcrowded.

We know that 14 years of Tory austerity has had an enormous impact on local authorities, who are having to place residents facing homelessness in temporary accommodation, hotels and B&Bs due to a lack of social homes.

The Tories need to stand aside – we need a General Election and a Labour Government. Only a Labour Government will bring about the biggest boost in affordable homes for a generation – with social and council housing at the core of our plan.”