Home ownership in England is becoming increasingly unattainable, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and analysis by the Open Property Group.

The data shows that the median house price in England reached £290,000 in 2024, representing 7.7 times the median full-time salary of £37,600.

This ratio far exceeds the typical mortgage lending limit of approximately 4.5 times income, effectively placing home ownership beyond the financial reach of around 90% of UK earners.

The surge in the property price-to-income ratio is not a short-term phenomenon, but reflects a structural issue that has intensified over several decades.

Since 1999, the affordability gap has widened by 75%, moving from 4.4 times average earnings to the current 7.7 times.

The situation i

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