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In 2006 the Chancellor raided pensions which resulted in savers to switch to bricks-&-mortar for their "retirement". These buyers competed for the same type of property as first-time-buyers and so boosted prices forcing out FTBs.
To help FTBs encourage savers to save in other schemes other than property which will allow the bottom of the market to ease, FTBs to enter the market & slowly help the market.
The Govt must encourage work creation so that people can afford to buy. Initially the building should be where the work is already- then look at other areas.
Sadly there is no quick fix which is why politicians are floundering

I entirely appreciate that there is an issue with first time buyers entering the market, in fact a resolution that will hopefully resolve the situation my wife and I have found ourselves in.

I purchased a one bedroom flat seven years ago, before I met my partner. Now we are completely trapped unable to move on, unable to start the family that we have been dreaming of - a luxury that many others appear to be able to have, with assistance from the government / local council.

We do not have the finances to let out the flat and move elsewhere. New housing developments won't even look at us if we ask about part exchange. With no interest in the housing market it means we are stuck where we are forever seeing other people getting the opportunities we would love.

Surely this is a demand problem, not a supply problem.

Overpopulation, and thus excess demand for housing - caused by a number of factors, not simply high immigration levels, but also greater life expectancy, larger families, and changes in lifestyle trends (people being less willing to live at home with their parents) - is the problem.

The solution, therefor, is surely not to simply destroy acres of our precious countryside building so called "affordable housing". But rather to kerb immigration, and enact social change to eradicate this absurd feeling that, simply because you are 22, and a single parent, you are entitled to a house, at the tax payers expense. Social responsibility is key - you shouldn't have children until you are in a position, financially and otherwise, to support them in an environment you are comfortable with, and can sustain through your own effort - not relying on the taxpayer. At the same time, families should be more prepared to live together - parents, children and, if needs be grandchildren.

Please please please don't let this social and cultural problem become an excuse to destroy huge swathes of our land which we can never recover.

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"On Tuesday 30 August, 5 live is taking a detailed look at the issue of housing in Britain."

"I should point out that this survey refers only to England"

Doh!!

So why a blog on this issue (important as it is) and not othere key issues like Libya and corruption at the top?

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

rather sort this one out first!