Under this Tory minority administration under the leadership of Theresa May as prime minister, we are sleepwalking into a housing crisis of a proportion we have not witnessed in recent years, but I believe there is a structural precursor which needs to be acknowledged.

While the Conservatives have placed emphasis on the 'starter home scheme' which has effectively subsidised the housing market for first-time buyers, this does not alleviate the pricing out of individuals who want to rent, or help the waiting lists for social housing. It is the simple truth, that during the good years we did not spend enough money on building social housing including council housing and other forms of affordable housing to people. The financial situation in Britain is worrying, with stagnant wages, inflation increasing, and increases in the cost of rent and housing. I do worry for the long term future of where we will end up if the government doesn't radically rethink their ideas. I for one would like to propose the following. The government needs to:

1) make a statutory commitment for a developing to build at least 40pc of new housing as affordable.

2) Start a council house building programme again.

3) Create a greater diversity of housing available. 4) Give councils greater autonomy and freedom to borrow money and reform council tax collection.