The number of residential towers under construction has increased nearly two-thirds in the past year, according to Savills.

The consultancy鈥檚 annual analysis, due to be published next week, shows that the number of schemes has grown 60% since last year.

It indicates that more than 127 towers are being developed, accommodating a total of 30,466 units. Fifty-eight per cent of schemes higher than 20 storeys are in the planning process with 18% on site. The proportion of schemes at pre-planning stage has dropped from 39% to 27%. The average height has increased from 24 storeys in 2004 to 27 storeys.

The ODPM is making a last-minute submission to chancellor Gordon Brown to set aside more money for affordable housing in next month鈥檚 pre-Budget report. It has submitted a bid for extra funding for social housing as part of its response to the Barker housing supply review, which is due to be published at the same time as the annual spending announcement.