I REFER to the ongoing arguments by all political parties regarding the housing shortage for the youngsters of today.

It’s all good encouraging these young people to buy their own home – ‘it’s the right thing to do get on the property ladder’.

That’s what I was told when I bought my first house, a modest terraced house in 1981.

Then I upgraded in 1987 to a semi.

We were told it was an investment to pass on to your children when you pass on.

That’s not strictly true now is it?

Now you are expected to finance your care if you own a house.

So what incentive is there for the young to purchase a house today if the government of the day is going to force you to sell it to pay for your social care when you grow old?

The sooner the social care paper is published and the criteria for it is set in stone then perhaps the argument for building houses is a rational one.

However those who choose to live in rented accommodation will never face the prospect of losing their home to pay for their care.

It sucks.

GARY BEBBINGTON Grappenhall