Henry_17 - what I meant was that it's not as simple as implied, when someone says - 'build more houses, it's just supply and demand'. That implies that the only solutions are supply side ones and also that there is an easily reached point of finite demand (there is at some point, but we're not dealing simply with a domestic 'homes' market). The fact is that the huge increases in property prices are not only the result of increased population. Policies have been implemented which have been aimed at increasing prices by encouraging speculation. I don't think it's at all likely (or necessarily desirable) that we will be able to build the number of properties necessary to satisfy the latent demand in the international, property speculation market - certainly not to the extent where it would make a significant impact on affordability for the average low paid worker in London. It is also true that there are different models of supply. There is a big difference between the building of 1 bedroom luxury flats and the creation of good quality, socially rented properties, or secure, long term rental contracts in the private sector. So I would invest in the 'right kind' of supply, and pursue policies which target the 'wrong kind' of demand. Use the taxation system to discourage people building up huge property portfolios and restrict the number of overseas speculators. So yes, I guess I misspoke, but what I was getting at is building 'luxury flats' everywhere, whilst selling off social housing, ignoring 'affordable housing' quotas and marketing new builds in Singapore and Malaysia is unlikely to help the barista who was mentioned.