A report published by Halifax PLC at the weekend revealed that the average house in Devon is unaffordable for all five key public sector worker groups.  The figures show that nurses, teachers, police officers, fire fighters and ambulance staff are unable to get their foot on the housing ladder in North Devon due to soaring property prices.

Nick Harvey MP, who spoke out about soaring house prices in North Devon following figures published in May this year, said:

“It is incredible that people who carry out some of the most difficult and worthwhile jobs in our local communities should not be able to afford to buy a property in which to live in the South West.  These figures show that this situation has got seven times worse than it was in 2001.

 “This report demonstrates how the Government has completely overlooked two major problems in the UK today.  We are seeing soaring house prices in local communities where earnings are not increasing in line with property prices.  This is exacerbated for key public sector workers who are not being adequately compensated for their labour.

“It has been clear to all Liberal Democrat MPs in the South West for some time that house prices in the South West are rising at unsustainable rates, now we have the evidence to show that house price to earning ratios in the region have almost doubled for all key workers.

“These hard working men and women often form the lifeblood of our local communities; we must ensure that they are richly rewarded for the work they carry out, rather than being punished for the career path they have chosen to follow.”