London Councils has responded to new research from Crisis on the impact of rising rents on family finances.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, London Councils’ Executive member for welfare, empowerment and inclusion, said: “This latest research confirms that low-income Londoners face an unbridgeable gap between their rent and the support they receive for their housing costs.

“Families across London would have to forgo almost their entire weekly food bill to cover their rent in full. This is just not possible and, without additional support, the inevitable outcome is that families become homeless."

London Councils has welcomed the return of the Domestic Abuse Bill, which will help address London’s unacceptably high rates of domestic abuse.

Cllr Peter John OBE, Chair of London Councils, said:“New legislation is vital to strengthening protection and support for survivors and their families and needs to be supported by the right level of resources to bring real change.

“Boroughs support the Domestic Abuse Bill being brought forward in the Queen’s Speech and will join forces with the capital’s MPs to ensure it works for Londoners."

The London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) has been named on the shortlist in the Apolitical Global Public Services team of year award in the New Ways of Working category. They are up against finalists from Brazil, Chile, Canada and Australia as well as the MHCLG in the UK.

Formally launched last year, LOTI was created to help London boroughs work together, bringing the best of digital, technology and data to improve public services for Londoners.

Listen to our latest podcast to find out more about challenges facing London borough's homelessness services, London's unique cost pressures and the impact of the Homelessness Reduction Act.