LONDON suffers the most acute housing shortage in the country. Yet, absurdly, the government announced this week that it is giving almost every other region in the country more money for the construction of affordable homes than the capital.

Although £83million is being spent on building 5,700 houses nationwide via Kick Start (II), the funds allocated to London will only be enough for a paltry 114 homes.

It is completely unjustifiable that the north west will receive more than double London's funding, despite its population being only a third of the size. The government's own study last month shows that of all the people in England those in the capital, especially young families, are least able to buy a home.

If ministers are aware the capital has the greatest need for housing, it begs the question why is so much money still being sent north, leaving London short-changed once again?

RICHARD BARNES London Assembly member (Con) for Ealing and Hillingdon

City Hall

London