Too many people "love" living in Worcestershire but cannot afford to buy a home, says MP

Nigel Huddleston, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, used a House of Commons debate to urge housing minister Brandon Lewis to help more young people stay in the areas they grew up in by getting on the property ladder.

The Government is trying to address concerns around high property prices in affluent areas with a new 'rural starter homes programme', which it wants developers to take advantage of.

It means watering down planning rules to allow more starter homes to be built on green so-called 'rural exception sites' earmarked specifically for people who already live, work or have family in the area.

The plan will seek to assess alternative solutions to rural broadband, improve rural transport and ensuring fairer funding for rural schools.

Mr Huddleston said since being elected, he has regularly been contacted by people who cannot afford to buy homes nearby.

The average house price in Droitwich has now hit £209,352, while in Fernhill Health it is £261,760 and in Ombersley it has reached a whopping £345,140.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Lewis said he had a good point about the need to address the situation.

"The need for starter homes and affordable homes for people to purchase is as important in rural areas as it is in urban areas," said the minster.

The Help-to-Buy policy has helped 303 people in Mid-Worcestershire get on the property ladder since it launched.

After the debate Mr Huddleston said: "I am frequently contacted by constituents who tell me they love this area, but are struggling to afford to live here.

"These steps will help enable more local people to continue to live in Worcestershire which we all know is a very attractive place to live, work, start a business and bring up a family.

"I am particularly keen to help make the aspiration of home ownership a reality for more people in Worcestershire and welcome the recent Help to Buy figures."