It has been a long time since housing has been such a hot issue, especially in London boroughs such as Barnet.

Ill-advised Government policies have meant that house prices have continued to rocket in London. This has been disastrous. Fewer and fewer people can buy houses. And private sector rents are now absurd.

It looks as if the Government doesn’t want anyone except the rich living in our city.

And it looks as if Barnet Borough Council is hell-bent on making housing even more of a problem for thousands and thousands of its residents.

It is possible that not too many people are aware of Barnet Council’s intention to massively increase council rents.

People in my part of Barnet will have to face an increase of more than £450 per month for even a two-bed property. Even so, Barnet Council does not have the nerve to vote these plans though until June. Presumably, it is hoping the public will neither notice its plans or the fact that a General Election is coming.

Apparently Labour are saying they will have ‘fair rents’.

Barnet people deserve fair rents and decent housing. Let us hope that all Barnet residents think about this when they go to vote on May 7.

David Beere

Colin Crescent, Colindale