IT IS good news indeed that 120 people have been able to get a foot on the property ladder in Southampton thanks to the Government’s Help to Buy Scheme.

But opposition voices are correct in insisting out that however successful the scheme, it is only scratching the surface of the housing problem in this country.

Labour say they will push through a massive house-building initiative if they regain power at the next general election.

They have pinpointed where the problem lies: Southampton and the rest of the nation needs more new homes.

Until they are built the prices of existing homes on the market will continue to soar with the dangers to the economy that brings.

Yet the Tories, too, want more homes and have been attempting to solve the problem their own way with plans to ease planning concerns.

And there lies the rub. Communities understand they need more homes, they just don’t want them near to them.

A Labour government would surely face similar opposition.

What is needed is an acceptance by communities they must allow building.

And that’s not likely any time soon.