DORSET’s Spectrum Housing Group helped to deliver a powerful message to Westminster when it joined a major rally which urged political parties to commit to end the housing crisis.

Spectrum was one of over 250 housing organisations to take the National Housing Federation’s Homes for Britain message to the top.

Social landlords, charities, developers and estate agents all gathered for the largest housing rally in UK history.

They want the next government to publish a long-term plan within a year of taking office to set out how it will end the housing crisis.

Neighbourhood Services Director at Spectrum, Stuart Davies,said: “We are proud to have taken part in the Homes for Britain campaign, we recognise the chronic shortage of homes in central southern and the south west of England brought about by not building enough homes over many, many years.

“We are doing all we can to solve that problem but its important that political will is brought to bear recognising the housing crisis and committing to doing something about it over the longer term if we are really going to tackle things.”

The event was attended by speakers from all of the main political parties.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage, Conservative Party Chairman MP Grant Shapps, Labour MP Hilary Benn, Green MP Caroline Lucas and Lib Dem MP Ed Davey all spoke at the rally.

Film director Ken Loach also spoke at the event,which was hosted by television presenter Jonathan Dimbleby.

Spectrum is a major developer in the south and has pledged to build 2,500 new homes by 2018.

The National Housing Federation believes that 245,000 should be built every year in the UK to keep pace with the demand for housing.

Housing association staff across the country had recently taken part in the Relay to the Rally where staff from across the country made their way to London passing a baton from one association to the next.

Spectrum Housing Group is a non-profit organisation.