The lack of social housing has been highlighted by a councillor, after it was revealed a high-earning union boss lives in a Woodford Green council home.

National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) general secretary, Bob Crow, earns �145,000 a year.

Cllr Richard Hoskins, (Church End, Liberal Democrat) said the council was falling behind on its social housing target and added there was a need for vacant council homes for people to move into.

He said: “If someone is earning that much money, one would hope they would do the right thing. There needs to be more done to increase social housing,” he added.

An RMT spokesman said: “Bob Crow makes no apology for living in social housing at the heart of his local community. Bob was born into a council house and has lived in one all his life.”