Bristol is England's least affordable city to rent in - should more be done?

Article excerpt

Bristol has become England's least affordable city to rent in, with average rents consuming 45% of typical salaries, a threshold that housing experts often flag as unsustainable. The data reveals a stark mismatch between wages and housing costs in the West Country city, raising questions about whether local and national policymakers should intervene more aggressively. The city's rental crisis sits against a broader affordability squeeze affecting renters across England, though Bristol's position is particularly acute. The article examines whether current policy responses are sufficient or if new measures, from rent controls to increased housing supply, warrant consideration.