LONDON’S Mayor has responded to Essex council leaders who wrote to him slamming “despicable” borough councils who dump homeless people in the county.

A letter signed by every Essex council leader, including Tendring Council’s Neil Stock, was sent to Sadiq Khan in December.

Now, the mayor has responded stating he is “willing to play a part in conversations” between London boroughs and the local government association.

The letter from the leaders of Essex raised a series of issues, including a lack of communication between London authorities and Essex councils informing them of people being moved into the area, families being placed in inadequate housing, and the impact on local services.

Mr Khan claimed he has made it clear to London boroughs that they have an obligation to inform local authorities.

The response read: “I appreciate your concerns for the families affected by the huge increase in homelessness that we have seen in recent years.

“As you may know, monitoring by London boroughs indicates that, in the first quarter of the current financial year, only eight per cent of all temporary accommodation placements were outside London.

“As my Housing Strategy also makes clear, I am committed to working with London boroughs to help them improve the accommodation options they are able to offer to homeless households.

“As I am sure you will agree, any real and lasting reduction in the number of homeless households London boroughs place in other areas, and the numbers of households becoming homeless in the first place, requires action from the Government.”

The Essex Leaders and Chief Executives Group, which organised the initial letter, includes all 12 district and borough councils, Essex County Council, Southend and Thurrock unitary authorities and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Tendring Council housing boss Paul Honeywood, speaking at at meeting of the council’s cabinet on Friday, said: “I’m proud that we look after our residents. I think the London boroughs should be ashamed of themselves.”