The UK housing market has recognised the severity of the problem of shortage of homes for years, but with increased migrant numbers the problem has just escalated. A problem once considered a priority has just become worthy of being called a crisis by a recent European Commission report. Migrants entering UK borders are creating a massive growth in population. The country now needs more than 220,000 new residences built each year to meet demand.

A housing market report leaked during this past week outlines the severity of the problem and the increase in construction which is needed to alleviate the burden. More than 750,000 new migrants arrived last year which is a larger number than anyone had previously thought.

First time buyers are especially feeling the strain on the market. Those looking to purchase a house are finding challenges which are especially hard to overcome. Not only are housing prices still on a skyward trajectory, pulling together the funds for a down payment is almost impossible for most first timers trying to gain a spot on the first rung of the property ladder.

Cabinet Minister Chris Grayling commented on the latest data, saying: “If we have migration on this scale, the European Commission has put its finger on it: we have to build more and it will change the nature and character of many parts of this country.

“If I look somebody in the eyes on the doorstep and they say to me that “I think immigration has been too high and I want to slow it down”, I can’t in the context of EU immigration do anything about it at all.”

Grayling added: “I think in a sovereign and independent country those people should have a say. As long as we stay in the EU, they won’t.”