Read the report
Three-quarters of the public recognise broader economic factors are preventing young adults from getting on the housing ladder – but around half still think a key reason is that young people are spending too much on things like takeaway coffees and Netflix.
The research, by the Policy Institute and Institute of Gerontology at King’s College London, also finds that young adults themselves are more likely to agree than disagree that spending on such items and services is a key reason for their failure to get on the housing ladder. For example, 48% of Millennials agree with this view, compared with 33% who disagree, and there is a similar split among members of Gen Z (43% vs 33%). In reality, these are minor factors given the huge increases in house prices and required deposits, while wages have stagnated.
The research was carried out to mark the Institute of Gerontology’s annual David Hobman lecture, which will be given this year on 13 June by Professor Bobby Duffy, author of the book Generations: does when you’re born shape who you are?