The leader of Islington Council has written to Chancellor Philip Hammond urging the government to lift legislation which stops the town hall building more council homes.

Ahead of the Autumn Budget on Wednesday, Cllr Richard Watts asked Mr Hammond to lift Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Cap, which would give the council more money to build homes.

Cllr Watts also demanded the government ends its plans, due to come into force in April, to make authorities to sell off “high value” council homes.

He said this week: “To tackle the housing crisis head-on, we need the government to give us the freedoms we need.

“The measures we are asking for are sensible and could be done straightaway. Having the ability to build more council homes, protect existing ones and prevent homelessness, would allow us to make a real difference for local working people.

“It’s now down to the Chancellor.”