YORK'S MP Hugh Bayley met Labour's Fishergate candidates Ernie Dickinson and Tom Gibson, to call for new policies to tackle the shortage of affordable housing in York.

They say too many buy-to-let flats, like those at Fulford Place, are being developed, leaving a shortage of affordable housing for families and for young people trying.

Mr Gibson said: "We have found this is one of the biggest concerns. Numerous people have seen that York is in the grips of a housing crisis, and something needs to be done urgently."

Mr Bayley said: "The rent for a two bedroom flat in Fulford Place, for example, is £600 per month - which is unaffordable for young people wanting their own place for the first time. You now have to earn more than the average wage to get on to the first rung of the housing ladder. We need to build more houses for sale and rent, and to earmark as many as possible as affordable housing. I want national and local government to change policies."