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Kevin McCloud criticises the ‘unaffordable’ UK housing market

Grand Designs couple build £1.2m home viewers compare to 'conference centre'

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.