THE plight of the district's key workers was the subject of an adjournment debate secured by St Albans MP Kerry Pollard on Wednesday, March 6.

Speaking in Westminster Hall, Mr Pollard spoke of the problems faced by teachers, nurses and police men and women in finding affordable housing in the district.

Referring to St Albans' spiralling house prices he spoke of the importance of incorporating a provision for affordable housing in the district's Local plan.

He said: "Even on an MP's salary at nearly twice the local average I would not be able to afford a modest three-bedroom detached house in my own constituency."

Referring to the threatened closure of the special care baby unit at Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Mr Pollard added that the shortage of key worker housing was exacerbating difficulties faced by the public services.

He said a recent planning application from developers Try Homes could pave the way for better housing provision for key workers.

Mr pollard said: "The uniqueness of this scheme is that the developers have agreed to 40 per cent of the flats being made available for key workers to rent."

Transport, local government and the regions parliamentary under-secretary Ms Sally Keeble, speaking after Mr Pollard, added that recent government initiatives were gradually improving the fortunes of key workers in St Albans and the South East.