And it seems to me this problem is getting worse here in the Dales.

Inevitably we are paying a high price for living in such a beautiful part of the country but people who have lived here all their lives are often finding themselves priced out of the market.

As second homes spring up all over the place people are starting to feel bitter.

Residents who are battling to pay their mortgage have to contend with people who can move into this area and afford one of these desired properties, which according to new figures average at £238,883.

You can't blame people for wanting to live here but the gap between how much money people have seems to be growing.

At the same time there appears to be another injustice emerging. While locals struggle to find suitable houses the long-term unemployed are moving in to social housing in this area.

Housing minister Caroline Flint began a debate this week about how to tackle the problem of households paid for by benefits and generations of families without jobs.

A report commissioned by her department said half of all households paid for by benefits were without work, and many of these are under 25.

While critics have said struggling families should not face added stress over their home because of unemployment, it seems unfair that employed people should face added stress over paying their rent.

Nobody is suggesting booting families and children out of their homes but at the moment the system seems to be encouraging people to stay on benefits and not get caught up in the messy business of paying for a house.

A bigger overhaul of our welfare system is needed to help close the gap between those not working, those earning mega-money and the struggling individuals in between.