Labour’s Eddisbury candidate Pat Merrick says young people are being forced to move away from rural Eddisbury

Mar 18 2010 by Ben Coulbeck, Chester Chronicle

HOME is where the heart is for Eddisbury parliamentary candidate Pat Merrick.

The deputy leader of the Cheshire West and Chester Labour group has pledged to help reform housing policies to create more affordable housing in the constituency.

If she pulls off what would be largely seen as a shock victory this summer, the Labour candidate says that providing houses for young people in their home towns and villages would be a priority.

“When we were younger it was easy, perhaps too easy, to get a mortgage but since the recession, young couples are getting turned down for a mortgage, and that’s two people working, it’s been the case for too long,” she said.

“In every part of Eddisbury there used to be plentiful and affordable council housing but that situation is so radically different today.

“When Margaret Thatcher brought in the right-to-buy policy, it was the death nail of social housing.

“We can work in partnership with private landowners to build homes for young families so they can stay in their home towns and villages. I hope whoever takes control of the next government will take this problem seriously as they cannot afford to ignore it any longer.”

Shadow Health Minister and Eddisbury MP Stephen O’Brien agreed that the provision of housing did not meet demand.

“Affordable housing is a priority. It is only right that people who live and work in our rural towns and villages, but who can’t afford to buy on the open market have the opportunity to remain where they have family, work and their community roots.

“But, lets be clear, the Government has cut funding for social housing by half since 1997, which is why not enough money is being made available for affordable housing in Eddisbury.”