Firstly, thanks for your interest in the Priced Out campaign. We’re going to write regular newsletters from now on to keep you up-to-date on the latest campaign news. In this newsletter:

• Media - We've had increasing interest from the media and we need your help to cover all the press requests we get
• Lobbying - We’ve met with Housing Minister Yvette Cooper and are building links with Local Authorities
• Manifesto - To clarify our message we’ve created a manifesto that details our aims
• Taking Action - How can you make a difference?

Media
In September we organised a protest at the Property Investor Show at ExCel in London. The protest attracted attention from the press. We appeared live from the protest on the Money Box show on Radio 4, were photographed by Inside Housing magazine, and contributed to the BBC2 Documentary, The Truth About Property.

The recent reports from Halifax and Nationwide which show house prices are falling led to appearances on BBC Breakfast and BBC News 24. A slowdown in what has been dramatic house price inflation in recent years is good news for us. However, we are keen for the Government to recognise and address the factors that have contributed to recent house price inflation including the effect of the boom in buy-to-let activity on house prices (which the Nationwide report acknowledges) and 6 month tenancy laws.

Lobbying
In November, a team from Priced Out met with Cabinet Minister for Housing, Yvette Cooper. Whilst sympathetic to our aims, we feel that we have a long way to go before central Government makes real changes to legislation in favour of first time buyers and owner-occupiers. Overall we felt that the recent Comprehensive Spending Review benefited long-term property investors rather than first time buyers. We do, however, welcome the Government's pledge to build 3 million new affordable homes.

We are keen to start a dialogue with Local Authorities and attend Local Authority housing events to get our voice heard at a local level, where housing planning and development decisions are made. Although organisations such as Shelter attend these events, as well as local investors and statutory services, the voice of people who are priced out and hope to become owner-occupiers (and are not necessarily in need of social housing), needs to be heard. Often at the moment it is not heard at all - please let us know if you'd be prepared to attend your borough's steering group on behalf of Priced Out .

Manifesto
Our manifesto has now been finalised - please check it out on the website. Please keep you comments on the forum going as this is helpful to us in shaping the direction and development of our key campaign aims and objectives.

Taking Action
Taking Action - How can you make a difference?

• Press appearances in London and other areas. We're unable to attend all of the press opportunities we're offered - please let us know if you'd be willing to appear on TV or radio on behalf of Priced Out;
• Representing Priced Out   at your Local Authority housing events ;
• Campaign events. We're planning another protest in the new year and we really need campaign members to come out and show support;

Please email us (volunteer@pricedout.org.uk) if you're able to get involved. Many thanks.

Happy Christmas and New Year,

The Priced Out team