Whither the Property Owning Democracy?

For nearly three decades politicians sought to make owner-occupiers of us all. But for the vast majority there was one small problem: They didn’t have cash in the Bank so their purchase had to be funded by mortgage debt. With low interest rates levels of debt were allowed to rip thus fuelling rising house prices. Fantastic for those who borrowed early on in the spending spree. They saw their debt being inflated away, not by good old-fashioned wage inflation but by rapidly rising house prices. Television schedules became stuffed full with programmes like “Property Ladder” and for as long as prices were rising everybody was happy………Post the bust it remains to be seen exactly what vision the politicians have for the future of housing provision and tenure in the UK.