Voters want 2024 General Election debate on rural housing

High prices and low wages in the countryside mean it is even more difficult to secure a place called home than it is in urban areas.

According to the Campaign for Rural England, average property prices in the countryside are 16 times higher than the average wage. The organisation claims the rural housing system is “broken”.

The BBC spoke to first-time buyers, an “overcrowded” family of five and housing providers to get their views on the matter ahead of next month’s general election.

George Musgrave and his girlfriend, Courtney Walls, say the new government needs to focus on the housing crisis.

Ms Walls, 26, who is a care worker and Mr Musgrave, 29, who is a customer support specialist, recently bought their first home on the outskirts of Scunthorpe thanks to a shared ownership scheme.

“We absolutely love it,” says Ms Walls.

They own 51% of the two-bedroomed new-build, and rent the remaining 49% from Places for People – a social housing provider.

Mr Musgrave says the scheme “gave us hope” of ever being able to own a home, but he feels there are not enough opportunities for young couples like them.

John Greaves, from Places for People, says he was “delighted” the pair got the keys to their home, but adds there are “many people still on waiting lists”.

“There is only one solution. We need to build more homes,” Mr Greaves says.

He is appealing to the new government to open up the planning process and funding to enable social housing providers to do this.