ITV News Index

 METHODOLOGY NOTE

ComRes interviewed 2,058 British adults online between 7^th and 9^th March 2014. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Date Published: 18 Mar 2014

Categories: Economy | Financial Services | Politics | Public and communities | UK

Description

 One in three worry that they’ll never be able to afford to buy a home

      Overwhelmingly the British public would rather buy a home than rent one (81%) and believe it is important to own the home they live in (71%).

o    However there are some clear differences on the grounds of social grade and age. Those from higher social grades are more likely than those from lower social grades to think it is important to own the home they live in (85% of ABs compared to 57% of DEs), they are also more likely to rather own a home than rent one (90% of ABs and 73% of DEs).

o    Younger Britons are less attached to the idea of homeownership than older ones. Four in five (80%) of those aged 65+ say it is important to them to own their own home compared to 64% of 18-24 year olds. Similarly, 86% of those aged 65+ would rather buy than rent, compared to 74% of 18-24 year olds.

·         While there is a desire to own a home, seven in ten (71%) Britons say it is harder than ever to buy a home in Britain today. Just 13% disagree.

·         One in three Britons worry that they’ll never be able to afford to buy a home, while 55% disagree.

o    Those most likely to worry are younger Britons: 56% of 18-24 year olds and 48% of 24-34 year olds agree

·         While six in ten (61%) Britons agree that there is a housing crisis in Britain at the moment (19% disagree), the public is split on the need for building new homes in the local area: 40% agree and 41% disagree.

 

o    Three in four (74%) Londoners agree there is a housing crisis and 55% believe more new homes need to built in their local area, higher than anywhere else

Help to Buy

Almost half 47% of Britons believe the Government’s “help to buy” schemes has been successful in helping people buy homes that could previously not afford to do so – just 15% disagree. However, four in ten (41%) agree that it is contributing to the increase in house prices

 

o    Again Londoners stand out from the rest of Britain, 53% of those in London agree that “help to buy” is contributing to increasing house price

 

 

METHODOLOGY NOTE

ComRes interviewed 2,058 British adults online between 7^th and 9^th March 2014. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.