Housing in this country has gone and went out of control some years back.
When I purchased my first home back in 1988 , cost £60,500 and I had a mortgage of £51,000. At the time this got me a 2 bedroom 1910 Terraced house in Edmonton North London. These houses now sell for £270,000 average. How the hell would or could I afford a £260,000 mortgage on what I was earning back then , even allowing for wage inflation. Even with wage growth via advancement in my career and inflation ...a £260,000 mortgage would be a daunting prospect.
No wonder so many people need social housing.
Private rent inflation is running high at the moment also I understand.