The Housing Trap

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Dispatches asks whether Britain's house-price boom will create a new generation unable ever to afford a home of their own. The programme follows three sets of first-time buyers as they begin looking for ideal homes in summer. How will the would-be purchasers cope with pricing hot-spots, competition from buy-to-let investors and the meltdown in consumer lending caused by the international credit crunch?

Experts warn that the time may come when the Government will have to choose between protecting the interests of investors and enabling the next generation to live in affordable housing. As Dr John Bone of Aberdeen University says: "What they need to do is decide whether they want to have housing for individuals and families, and look at the social factors that underlie that and promote housing as a social good. Or whether they want to look after the interests of investors and their profits. It's one or the other."

Dispatches Late Night & Live

Dispatches Late Night & Live is a brand new series of live video debates which feature experts debating issues featured in Dispatches programmes.

Tonight Chris Tapp of Credit Action will go head to head with James Heartfield of think-tank Audacity.org to discuss if Britain should continue to be a nation of property owners. Chris Tapp believes too much pressure is put on the British population to buy a property and we should rent for longer. James thinks buying is better for the people of Britain.

The debate will start at 9pm - full details to follow...

Can't afford to buy where you want? Tell us what you think on our Best & Worst Places To Live map.

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