The squeeze on home buyers' finances has been highlighted by reports from the TUC and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).
The squeeze on home buyers' finances has been highlighted by reports from the TUC and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).
The TUC says average English house prices have risen four times as fast as average earnings in the past ten years.
The TUC says average English house prices have risen four times as fast as average earnings in the past ten years.
And Rics says first-time buyer couples now need to save almost all their take-home income for a year, to afford a deposit and other up-front costs.
And Rics says first-time buyer couples now need to save almost all their take-home income for a year, to afford a deposit and other up-front costs.
The government said it planned to see two million more homes built by 2016.
The government said it planned to see two million more homes built by 2016.
Repossessions
Repossessions
According to Rics, a first-time buyer couple would need to save £25,600 to afford an average deposit and stamp duty.
According to Rics, a first-time buyer couple would need to save £25,600 to afford an average deposit and stamp duty.
The average joint earnings of a couple in the lowest-paid 25% of the population, in comparison, is £25,899 - just £299 more.
The average joint earnings of a couple in the lowest-paid 25% of the population, in comparison, is £25,899 - just £299 more.
With interest rates rising five times since the summer of 2006, there has been a rise in the number of homes being repossessed from mortgage holders unable to keep up with their financial commitments.
With interest rates rising five times since the summer of 2006, there has been a rise in the number of homes being repossessed from mortgage holders unable to keep up with their financial commitments.
Rics warned that this trend would continue.
Rics warned that this trend would continue.
"House prices have risen by over 11% a year since 1996, whereas first-time buyer incomes have only risen by 3.5% a year," said Rics' senior economist, David Stubbs.
"House prices have risen by over 11% a year since 1996, whereas first-time buyer incomes have only risen by 3.5% a year," said Rics' senior economist, David Stubbs.
"This has forced buyers to borrow ever greater amounts, and now higher interest rates are applying pressure to the household finances of recent buyers."
"This has forced buyers to borrow ever greater amounts, and now higher interest rates are applying pressure to the household finances of recent buyers."
City earnings
City earnings
The Rics analysis was echoed by that of the TUC.
The Rics analysis was echoed by that of the TUC.
It is striking that house prices seem to have gone up in line with the pay of top directors and the super-rich Brendan Barber, TUC
It is striking that house prices seem to have gone up in line with the pay of top directors and the super-rich Brendan Barber, TUC
The trade union organisation said that while house prices has gone up by 180% since 1997, average earnings had risen by just 43%.
The trade union organisation said that while house prices has gone up by 180% since 1997, average earnings had risen by just 43%.
The TUC's general secretary, Brendan Barber, pointed to the boom in City earnings and huge bonuses as one factor behind this widening gap.
The TUC's general secretary, Brendan Barber, pointed to the boom in City earnings and huge bonuses as one factor behind this widening gap.
"It is striking that house prices seem to have gone up in line with the pay of top directors and the super-rich, rather than middle and low earners," he said.
"It is striking that house prices seem to have gone up in line with the pay of top directors and the super-rich, rather than middle and low earners," he said.
"Of course sustained low interest rates and an excess of demand over supply have also helped fuel higher prices, but it is clear that demand at the top of the market from those with city bonuses and inflated boardroom pay has fed down to the rest of the market," he added.
"Of course sustained low interest rates and an excess of demand over supply have also helped fuel higher prices, but it is clear that demand at the top of the market from those with city bonuses and inflated boardroom pay has fed down to the rest of the market," he added.
More homes
More homes
According to Government figures, house building is currently at its highest since 1990.
According to Government figures, house building is currently at its highest since 1990.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper pointed out that it had plans to encourage the building of two million more homes in the next decade.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper pointed out that it had plans to encourage the building of two million more homes in the next decade.
"The long-term rate of house building hasn't kept up with rising demand, causing long-term house prices to increase," she said.
"The long-term rate of house building hasn't kept up with rising demand, causing long-term house prices to increase," she said.
"Those who are still opposing new homes need to face up to the unfair consequences for first-time buyers and young families who badly need new affordable homes."
"Those who are still opposing new homes need to face up to the unfair consequences for first-time buyers and young families who badly need new affordable homes."
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