Sir Keir Starmer wants more housing in Yorkshire

Sir Keir Starmer visited a North Yorkshire building site earlier ahead of the leaders' debate

Sir Keir Starmer pledged that Labour would build more affordable homes when questioned about his party's housing plans during a visit to York.

The party leader has said he would take a "yimby" - which stands for "yes in my backyard" - approach to new housing while still protecting the countryside.

Sir Keir toured the Germany Beck development in the suburb of Fulford ahead of the leaders' debate in the city on Thursday.

The 650-home estate has taken 15 years to build and he criticised the impact of "delays" to projects which would enable young people to get on the property ladder.

He told the BBC: "Yorkshire has such beautiful countryside and we will protect it; but at the same time we have to build the houses that we need."

Sir Keir said he was an advocate for more affordable housing in the UK - in contrast to the culture of 'nimbyism", where people object to new developments near existing homes.

He added: "We cannot go on with delays like that [15 years]. It means that many people across Yorkshire, perhaps first-time buyers, are not able to get on the properly ladder because there is not enough housing and they can't afford it."

Another issue in York is an abundance of short-term lets and Airbnb properties, which push up rents while reducing the supply of housing stock for permanent residents.

Sir Keir said: "We need a tighter framework - there's too much bidding going on and too many people taking big deposits from buyers who want to rent or let, and conditions aren't what they should be.

"We have put on the table a very strong plan for renters."

Sir Keir has said previously he is an advocate of more social housing

When it was put to Sir Keir that his party was "well ahead" in the polls, he told the BBC: "Every single vote has to be earned, no seat has been won and polls do not predict the future.

"What we're doing is taking our positive message to as many doorsteps as we can, saying this is a chance for change."

When asked if any doubts "creep into his mind" on the campaign trail, he said: "In the end you have to focus on the general election itself and the day people go into the ballot box and make their choice.

"If you want an end to this chaos and division then vote for it; then we can start the journey of rebuilding the country."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was also in Yorkshire earlier, visiting Whinfell Quarry Gardens in Sheffield.

Sir Ed Davey was also in Yorkshire earlier and visited a quarry in Sheffield

He said his party would offer a "different voice" for the city and has promised "big investment in renewable industries" to create more jobs.

The debate will see Sir Keir, Conservative leader Rishi Sunak, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and leader of the Scottish National Party, John Swinney, go head to head ahead of the 4 July election.

Reform leader Nigel Farage is not thought to be attending.

The debate will take place at the University of York at 20:00 BST and is available to watch live on BBC One and iPlayer.

Full list of candidates standing in York Outer

Darren Borrows - Independent

Luke Charters - Labour

John Crispin-Bailey - Reform UK,

David Eadington - The Yorkshire Party

Keith Hayden - Independent

Andrew Hollyer - Liberal Democrat

Mike Kearney - Green

Hal Mayne - Independent

Julian Sturdy - Conservative

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].