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Public sector workers such as teachers, nurses, police and firefighters cannot afford to buy homes in seven out of 10 UK towns, the Halifax bank has said. Halifax arrived at its conclusions by dividing average regional property prices by average annual wages. It said property was most unaffordable in London and South-East England but property costs were also racing away from wages in other parts of the UK. The government said it had worked hard to help key workers buy homes. Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said: "No government has done more to help key workers; since 1997 almost 25,000 key workers have got their first step on the property ladder through government shared equity and shared ownership schemes."