The proportion of homes owned by those under the age of 45 has fallen by an estimated 800,000 in the last decade, according to the English Housing Survey.

The survey also shows that the proportion of people aged between 55 and 64 in the private rented sector has increased over the last 10 years, rising from 7 per cent to 10 per cent. The number of individuals aged between 55 and 64 living in social rented properties in the last decade also rose, from 14 per cent to 17 per cent.

The proportion of those aged between 25 and 34 who own properties has risen to 41 per cent, ticking up from 36 per cent in 2014. However, this is still below the peak seen in 2004 of 59 per cent.

Overcrowding, as shown by the data, has increased over the last two decades for social renters, rising from 5 per cent to 8 per cent, its highest recorded rate. Private renters have also seen a rise in overcrowded properties, increasing from 3 per cent to 6 per cent.

Furthermore, among owner occupiers, the proportion living in properties with two or more spare bedrooms has risen from 42 per cent to 52 per cent, over the last two decades.

The data also outlines that 12 per cent of the social rented sector and 25 per cent of the private rented sector do not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick MP says: “We are doing everything we can to make the dream of home ownership a reality for more people, and it is great to see this is happening for more young people who have taken that first step onto the housing ladder.

“We are continuing to work to improve standards in the private rented sector, making buying a home more affordable and building homes fit for the future.”

Labour shadow housing secretary John Healey adds: “The Conservatives do not want to talk about housing ahead of the general election and the government’s own statistics show why.

“These figures confirm that the number of younger home-owners has fallen dramatically since 2010, with over 800,000 fewer households under 45 now owning their own home, and the number of recent first-time buyers is falling.

“Meanwhile, over a million more households are renting from a private landlord than a decade ago, including one in four families with children.”

Just Group group communications director Stephen Lowe comments: “In fact, home ownership rates are closer to record lows than record highs for ages other than 65+.

“However, the report notes that the general fall in home ownership levels since the turn of the millennium has levelled off and has been stable since 2013-14, buoyed by a recent rise in the proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds owning homes.”