Government housing policy came under the spotlight at a meeting last night.

Organised by pressure group Defend Council Housing, University of Brighton professor Peter Ambrose called for major reforms of housing and planning policy.

His report, Second Best Value, says the lack of public investment in housing is damaging the economy with costs in health, unemployment, education and crime.

Ruth Arundel, of Defend Council Housing in Brighton and Hove, said Prof Ambrose's work had far-reaching implications for housing policy.

She said: "We aim to keep Brighton and Hove City Council as our landlord and we will be asking all candidates for the local election next year to support us."