Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive of the CPRE, said the future looked bleak unless action was taken immediately.

BBC: Rural housing shortage 'worsens'

Carole Spiers, chairwoman of the National Stress Awareness Day committee, said employers needed to do more to help their employees to overcome stress.

BBC: Commuting is 'biggest stress'

Mr Spiers said it would be indefensible if 3, 000 jobs at Bathgate were to be shed simply because Motorola was trying to bolster its share price.

BBC: Motorola jobs effort stepped up