ITV News London Housing Poll

Methodology note: ComRes interviewed 1,019 London adults online between 10^th and 16^th March 2014. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all London adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Date Published: 17 Mar 2014

Categories: Personal Finance | Public and communities | Social | UK

Description

COMRES / ITV NEWS LONDON POLL: FOUR IN TEN LONDONERS CONSIDER LEAVING BECAUSE OF COST OF LIVING IN THE CAPITAL

A new poll conducted by ComRes for ITV News London’s week of special coverage on housing in London, reveals that around four in ten (38%) Londoners say they have seriously thought about moving out of London because of the cost of living in the capital.

There are clear differences by age, with just 13% of those aged 65+ saying they have seriously thought about leaving London because of the cost of living compared to around half (47%) of young Londoners aged 18-34. Those in central London appear particularly likely to have considered leaving the capital, 47% say they considered it.

Rich foreigners buying housing are blamed more than anything else for the housing crisis in London. Three in ten (31%) Londoners think rich foreigners buying housing in London are mostly responsible for the crisis, followed by 23% blaming high rates of immigration. The Coalition Government is thought to be most responsible by 14% of Londoners, while one in ten (10%) hold London’s local councils most responsible. Mayor Boris Johnson is held mostly responsible by 4% while his predecessor Ken Livingstone is blamed by 2%.

An overwhelming majority of nearly three quarters (73%) of Londoners think it is a bad thing for London that house prices are rising faster in the Capital than anywhere else, while just 16% think it is a good thing for the city. Young Londoners (aged 18-34) are more likely to think it is a bad thing (78%) than those aged 65+ (69%).

 

Londoners are split on the most effective way of easing London’s current housing situation. 41% think building more homes in London itself would be the most effective, while 39% believe developing commuter towns outside London would be best.

Men are more likely than women to think building more homes in London is the most effective way of easing London’s current housing situation (48% and 35% respectively). Women in turn are more likely than men to think developing commuter towns outside of London is most effective (41% and 36% respectively).

Methodology note: ComRes interviewed 1,019 London adults online between 10^th and 16^th March 2014. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all London adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.