TERRYE TEVERSON RAISING CORNWALL'S HOUSING CRISIS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

1.07.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Sep 2008

Liberal Democrat candidate for Truro and Falmouth, Terrye Teverson will be raising Cornwall's housing crisis at their National Conference being held in Bournemouth next week.

Terrye said, "There will be a focus on the mortgage and housing crisis and I will be making sure that issues affecting affordable rents are also raised. I will be meeting with Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP to highlight the cost of living for people living in Cornwall today. Vince has already earned the respect of many in the country with his common sense over the Northern Rock debacle and his famous "Stalin to Mr Bean" comments on Gordon Brown.

Latest figures show that mortgage approvals fell to a record low in July down near three quarters on last year. Commenting Terrye said, "On the one hand lower house prices could be good for first time buyers trying to get on the property ladder. But if they can't get a mortgage it makes no difference to them. Meanwhile how many people locally are now getting into negative equity or facing repossession?"

Terrye who runs a manufacturing business in Cornwall commented, "We are all aware that inflation has risen to its highest level for 11 years and at 4.4% is well above the Government's own target of 2%. This is bringing pain to pensioners particularly as they see their cost of living increasing on basics. Unemployment is going up particularly in the building industry. I have met many local tradesmen who are really worried about the next 12 months and how they will pay their bills. "

At the conference the Liberal Democrats will be calling for tax cuts for low and middle income households, action to cut energy bills and plans to allow families struggling with repayaments to sell part of the equity of their homes and rent it back through a housing association.

In conclusion Terrye said, "The conference season is an important part of bringing information to Parliamentarians about what is happening throughout the country. It is important that Cornwall's particular issues with high cost of living is recognised nationally. I will certainly be highlighting our plight."