Article: London becomes a city of the young; The latest population figures show that middle-income families are increasingly leaving London to the rich and the poor. But Paul Barker says some of the trends are good news for the capital.

Byline: PAUL BARKER

LONDON is like a weir in the middle of a thunderstorm.

As you stand and watch, you see the population swelling up like flood water.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, published last week, London's population is more than seven million, and rising. Half a million more than 20 years ago. No one predicted this increase.

But at the same time, the statisticians note, people are pouring out of London. If they didn't, the weir - or the city - might burst. They'd pile up a housing demand no one could meet, however much you crushed the population together in flats or town houses on bits ...

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