This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21365920

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Food costs: '£50 chickens' if food tracked house prices Food costs: '£50 chickens' if food tracked house prices
(about 4 hours later)
If the price of food had risen as quickly as the price of houses over the last 40 years, we would now be paying more than £50 for a single chicken, according to the housing charity Shelter.If the price of food had risen as quickly as the price of houses over the last 40 years, we would now be paying more than £50 for a single chicken, according to the housing charity Shelter.
The charity says that since the early 1970s, house prices have risen far faster than grocery bills.The charity says that since the early 1970s, house prices have risen far faster than grocery bills.
In 1971 an average home in Britain cost less than £6,000.In 1971 an average home in Britain cost less than £6,000.
Forty years on, it had shot up to £245,000.Forty years on, it had shot up to £245,000.
The figures, from the Office of National Statistics, suggest that houses are now 43 times more expensive than they were then. The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), suggest that houses are now 43 times more expensive than they were then.
Applying the same rate of inflation to food prices, Shelter says a chicken would now cost £51, and a four-pint bottle of milk would cost £10.Applying the same rate of inflation to food prices, Shelter says a chicken would now cost £51, and a four-pint bottle of milk would cost £10.
It says on average a family weekly shop would cost more than £450.It says on average a family weekly shop would cost more than £450.
UnacceptableUnacceptable
Shelter argues that such high food costs would be unacceptable.Shelter argues that such high food costs would be unacceptable.
"Yet when it comes to the huge rise in the cost of buying a home, somehow this is seen as normal," said Shelter's chief executive, Campbell Robb."Yet when it comes to the huge rise in the cost of buying a home, somehow this is seen as normal," said Shelter's chief executive, Campbell Robb.
"The next generation will find it even tougher to find a stable and affordable home," he said."The next generation will find it even tougher to find a stable and affordable home," he said.
A recent poll for Shelter found that 59% of adults who don't own a home believe they will never be able to afford to buy in the area where they live.A recent poll for Shelter found that 59% of adults who don't own a home believe they will never be able to afford to buy in the area where they live.
The report says that if food price inflation was as high as house price inflation, a leg of lamb would now cost £53, and a loaf of bread would cost more than £4.The report says that if food price inflation was as high as house price inflation, a leg of lamb would now cost £53, and a loaf of bread would cost more than £4.