The numbers of families in England waiting for a council house in which to live has soared by more than 50% during labour’s time in power and now stands at 1.5 million, official figures reveal. The South East and London, have experienced the largest increases, up by 77% and 71% respectively since 1997. Across England, the number of households on the housing register has risen from 1,019,475 in 1997 to 1,548,083 - a 52 per cent jump - according to parliamentary answers to questions asked by the Liberal Democrats. As only one new social housing unit is built for every five sold off under the right-to-buy scheme, the supply of council properties for families on the waiting list is dwindling every year. "These figures reveal the massive scale of the housing crisis in this country," said Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrats' shadow to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott. "With house prices so high that home ownership is just a dream for most people, more and more people are turning to councils for help in finding a home. But every year there are fewer and fewer affordable homes for the people who need them." The Guardian