LABOUR’S parliamentary candidate for Thurrock has slammed Westminster City Council after it was revealed the London council’s Community Homes company paid over £3.6million to buy 25 properties in Grays.

It’s claimed the homes will be used as accommodation for vulnerable and homeless families in the capital.

Polly Billington said: "Westminster are kicking out people who are struggling with the high costs of London. This is the consequence of Tory policy which finds the less well off an inconvenience.

“Thurrock will have to pick up the pieces - when these are some of the most vulnerable people in the country. They are being pushed away from their community and may be left without without family support.

“This will make them even more vulnerable and put even more strain on our stretched services and community here in Thurrock. “Westminster Council are failing in their responsibilities for vulnerable families and are expecting Thurrock to pick up the pieces."

Last month Westminster Council spent over £6.22 million purchasing 34 properties in Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Enfield and Newham – an average of £183,000 per property.

The Council says that it has made offers on 160 properties and aims to have purchased 60 units by the end of March 2015 and 150 by September 2015, all for families in temporary accommodation.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group in Westminster, said: “Westminster Conservatives are continuing to export the homeless to east London and Essex where they have no connections or family support. This places additional educational and social services burdens on local Councils who are already struggling with the most recent Government cuts”

“By buying up homes in bulk, Westminster Conservatives are using their financial wealth to take away homes from residents in Grays who want to buy or rent locally.”