Figures highlight urgent need for affordable housing

12.00.00am GMT Mon 29th Jan 2007

Local MP Julia Goldsworthy has expressed her concern at new figures revealing that house prices in the Falmouth and Camborne constituency have risen by a staggering 78% over the last 5 years.

With house prices continuing to rise, local first time buyers are struggling to get onto the property ladder. The figures, compiled by the Halifax, show that the problems local people face are exacerbated by average weekly earnings being 30% lower than the national average. As a result, last year's average mortgage in Falmouth and Camborne was only £94,000 - only half the average house price. Across the country, a typical mortgage equates to nearly 70% of the average house price.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy MP said:

"These figures reflect what we already know - housing in the area is unaffordable for many people. Low wages and high house prices mean that it is extremely difficult for young, first time home buyers to climb onto the property ladder making the need for more affordable housing in Falmouth and Camborne all the more urgent.

"The fact that local wages continue to lag so far behind the national average is also very disappointing. Whilst the European funding received in Cornwall over recent years has bolstered our local economy, we still have a long way to go before we catch up with the rest of the country.

"It is vital that the next wave of funding builds upon the good work that has already been done to ensure that Falmouth and Camborne achieves its economic potential."

Ms Goldsworthy has long been campaigning for better housing policies to address the needs of Cornwall. Cornwall's five Liberal Democrat MPs have also called for more action to be taken to tackle the number of vacant properties in the County.