SIR – How ironic that the Tories have finally come up with a cure for the housing crisis they created.

I welcome an initiative to build more homes and help first-time buyers. What I condemn is the Tories’ policy during the Thatcher years of selling council houses and not replacing them. This has led to the present shortage.

Their newly-announced housing strategy will dictate local planning priorities and let developers build housing wherever they want on our green and pleasant fields.

And what of the millions of unemployed and low-waged? They stand no hope of setting foot on the housing ladder.

The only hope we have to stop the impending housing disaster is to embark on a massive programme of building social council and private housing.

Are the ideologically-driven Tories capable of doing so? I doubt it.

Max Hey, Fairway Grove, Bradford