The need for more homes for people to live in ought to be unarguable by now.

It is simple economics. If there is a shortage of something the price goes up.

So we now see the average house price is nine times that of average income, when we know that the affordable price is three times that of average income.

Rents have also been soaring. So younger people are hit by the double whammy of high rents and inability to save for a deposit to buy a home.

As it is easier for homeowners to raise a buy to let mortgage than for a first time buyer, wealth inequality is reinforced, social mobility reduced and the under-40s have a far less fair deal than those of us over that age.

What is needed is more homes. Lots of them. Unless we build more housing, we will perpetuate this unfairness.

People need the hope and aspiration to own their own home and to raise their families, and we should want to give our children and grandchildren that opportunity.

We hear much complaint about the need for more homes across Thurrock. But it is massively unfair to rob younger generations of the privilege that we have enjoyed.

Unless we build more homes there will be nowhere for people who work in Thurrock to live and we will simply add to the amount of traffic on our roads.

So we need to build more homes in Thurrock. Lots of them.