Housing concern 'at 40 year high'

The data, released on Friday, shows 5% more people are worried about the issue than in September.

It has risen up two places on Ipsos Mori’s list of concerns in Britain today, behind immigration, the NHS and the economy, but just above unemployment and poverty/inequality.

Twenty per cent of people interviewed were worried about housing, compared to 52% for immigration, 37% for the NHS and 26% for the economy.

The political research company points out the concern over housing is “most stark when the results are looked at geographically”.

Eight per cent of people surveyed in the north of England saw housing as an issue but 43% in London.

Ipsos Mori also discovered the levels of concern about housing varied between the ages, with 24% of 18 to 34 year olds mentioning it as an issue where 17% of those aged 55 and over expressed concern.

The issues index is conducted monthly, surveying more than 1,000 adults across Britain. The latest survey was carried out from 9-19 October.