The Review, in its thirty-third year, brings together the most important housing statistics from across the UK. The commentary and contemporary issues chapters feature a wealth of in-depth analysis, helping to paint a clear picture of housing across the UK supported by over 200 charts and tables of statistical analysis.

“Every year the UK Housing Review brings us all up to speed with the hard evidence and clear analysis that should - but seldom does - inform all housing policy decisions,” said Lord Best.

“The Review is invaluable at any time but especially now when the government is preparing a new housing strategy and has set a target to deliver 1.5 million new homes.”

Contemporary issues covered in the 2025 edition include new analysis of the role played by the Bank of England in housing policy. The Review also examines the long-run trend of housing and economic inequality in the UK and considers what is required to adapt homes to face the rigours of a changing climate.

The four contemporary issues chapters sit alongside six commentary chapters on a range of housing topics including analysis of trends in the economy, in UK housing markets and in meeting housing needs, housing provision and public expenditure on housing, the government’s current investment plans, homelessness and government help with housing costs.

Scottish rural housing

In ‘Housing in rural areas – still a Cinderella?’, Jo Lavis and Madhu Satsangi consider shortages in rural housing in England and Scotland. The chapter looks at how the problem has emerged in England and Scotland and measures that have been adopted to overcome these challenges.

The appraisal shows that there is a somewhat disjointed approach to rural housing provision in England, with a more strategic response in Scotland. However, the future is still rather bleak, it concludes. There remains a disjuncture between strategic and detailed local policies and between them and implementation. Policies at all levels often pull in different directions and there continues to be limited capacity to develop the small housing schemes needed in rural areas.

Attendees at the event were treated to an overview of some of the chapters from Review authors including Susan J. Smith, Emerita Honorary Professor of Geography, University of Cambridge, looking at housing and economic inequality, who said: “Owner-occupation has retreated, housing wealth inequalities have intensified, rents are rising, housing benefits have stalled and low-income households are spending proportionately and progressively more on housing than those who are better off. There must be a better way.”

Other guest speakers included Madhu Satsangi, Matthew Scott and Lynne McMordie, alongside Review author Peter Williams.

Before the event, Mark Stephens, Mactaggart Professor of Land, Property & Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow and the Review’s editor, said: “The Review demonstrates the range of housing challenges facing the new UK government and its counterparts in the devolved administrations. These demand concerted action and commitment drawing on the range of policy instruments available across government.”

CIH chief executive Gavin Smart added: “This year’s UK Housing Review is published at a decisive time as the government prepares a new housing strategy to back its target to build 1.5 million homes. The Review provides valuable, considered insight and analysis on the contemporary issues facing the housing sector, and leans into lessons learned from past policies. Valuable reading for everyone in the sector, I urge all political parties to engage with the wealth of information and analysis available in the UK Housing Review series.” 

The UK Housing Review series is published by CIH and the University of Glasgow and is available to buy via the CIH website with the exception of CIH members who receive it free of charge as a member benefit.

Publication of the Review relies on sponsorship and grants from a range of government bodies and housing organisations. The 2025 UK Housing Review has been made possible with the financial support of Campbell Tickell, Clarion, Crisis, Curo, Guinness Partnership, the Housing Studies Charitable Trust, L&Q, LiveWest, Midland Heart, Moat, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Paradigm Housing, Places for People, Riverside, the Scottish Government, Sovereign Network Group, The Housing Finance Corporation, and the Welsh Government. The launch event was sponsored by Lovells, Devonshires and Savills.