The housing crisis in London is being fuelled by the repeated failure of councils such as Redbridge and Waltham Forest to meet building targets for new homes, a report claims. 

Figures released today show only 39 per cent of the homes required under the Mayor of London Boris Johnson's target of 2,280 were built in Redbridge between 2010 and 2013 - the third lowest total in London. 

In Waltham Forest, 70 per cent of the target was achieved in Waltham Forest over the same period. 

Across London, the benchmark was achieved in 18 of the 33 boroughs. 

The report was published by business group London First and planning consultancy Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners. 

They say the mayor should be able to take over planning decisions for developments of 50 homes or more from councils if the required numbers of new homes are not met.  

A cash incentives in the shape of a "Delivery Bonus" should also be given to town hall where enough homes are being built, the report says. 

Chief xecutive of London First, Baroness Jo Valentine, said: “Politicians make grand gestures about boosting the supply of housing but most lack the responsibility and accountability for making this happen.” 

Managing director of Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, James Fennell, said: “We must address supply but, simply put, the incentives to London’s boroughs to accommodate more homes are just too weak at present. 

The Mayor of London's annual house-building target has recently risen from 32,000  to 42,000 year.