The Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer MP, and Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, today (14/11) visited Milton Keynes to hear from local people struggling to get on the housing ladder.

Visiting the Saxon Reach development at Glebe Farm, Keir and Rachel spoke to first time buyers, before having a roundtable discussion with some of those in the city struggling to buy a home.

Among those struggling were a firefighter, a small business owner, and a father who is having to downsize in order to save for a deposit.

Councillor Emily Darlington, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Milton Keynes South and Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Healthy Communities, said: “The Conservatives have crashed the economy and local people are paying the price through higher bills, higher mortgage rates – and it’s impacting their ability to buy a home.”

Shanika Mahendran is a business owner and city councillor, and is one of those struggling to get on the housing ladder. She said: “I’m part of a generation of young people who grew up in Milton Keynes and now can’t afford to put down our own roots here. After 12 years of the Conservatives, something has to change, and I’m glad Labour is listening.”

Councillor Emily Darlington concluded: “Labour is committed to increasing home ownership, and I’m glad that as a result of today, the voices of local people will be included in Labour’s solution to this problem the Conservatives have created.”