Cornwall MP calls on government to look at housing

Andrew George said housing should be a priority for the government

A Cornwall MP has urged the government to make housing a priority despite the prime minister's warning that October's budget "would be painful".

Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for West Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, was responding to the prime minister's speech on Tuesday when Sir Keir Starmer warned: "Things will get worse before they get better".

Mr George told the BBC he believed housing development should be a key area for the Labour government which has committed to building 1.5m new homes.

He said: "This is a really big issue and one that is going to very, very significantly affect Cornwall and indeed has done in previous decades."

Mr George said he had been "fortunate enough" to have secured a debate with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook on 9 September.

He said: "I will have the opportunity to put forward an alternative case."