COUNCILS' representatives, including Oxford City Council's leader, met to discuss how the crisis of unaffordable homes could be tackled in the future.

The five members of the Fast Growth Cities Network, which includes the city council, met other representatives, including others from housing developers, housing federations and housing associations.

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: “We are committed to tackling the housing challenges that Oxford faces and finding ways to support the delivery of more affordable homes.

"We have successfully secured investment in infrastructure and affordable housing through our Housing and Growth Deal and are playing a direct role through our housing company and through our partnerships to accelerate the delivery of more homes."

Lewis Herbert, chair of the Fast Growth Cities group and leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “Our five cities make a vital research, innovation and employment contribution to the national economy and are at the heart of the extended Oxford-Cambridge Arc, which government recognises as a priority future zone for the whole of the UK."

The Fast Growth Cities group includes representatives from the city council, Cambridge City, Norwich City, Milton Keynes and Swindon Borough councils.

Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “The housing crisis is at its most acute in fast growing cities in the greater South East. For decades the national planning system has failed to keep up with the growing demand for housing in these cities."