Kevin McCloud criticises the ‘unaffordable’ UK housing market

• Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud expressed sympathy for prospective home buyers in 2025, attributing high prices to powerful companies controlling the market.
• McCloud highlighted that a house he bought for £60,000 in Dulwich could now cost £1.2m, noting that housing costs have surged to 14 times the average income in some areas.
• He criticised the UK housing market for being dominated by a few powerful companies focused on shareholder returns, leading to some of Europe's highest prices for poor quality stock.
• The average UK house price reached a new high of £299,331 in August, with London properties averaging £541,615.
• A new mortgage from Newcastle Building Society offers first-time buyers 98 per cent borrowing, but excludes those receiving parental deposit assistance, a common practice for over half of recent first-time buyers.

IN FULL

Kevin McCloud says he feels sorry for anyone trying to buy a home now