Housing waiting list numbers to soar

THE number of people on waiting lists for local authority houses is set to soar following government spending cutbacks, it was warned yesterday.

Fresh figures show the number of applicants waiting for social housing has reached 50,000 - a 25% increase in just three years.

Opposition politicians and union leaders say spiralling increases in property costs will see even more people forced onto the waiting lists. People on middle incomes are being squeezed out of the property market and joining those with low incomes on housing waiting lists for the first time, according to housing group, Threshold.