More or Less The Stats of the Nation: Sex, drugs and empty homes
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Jan 7, 2026 
Join Lizzy McNeill, a keen reporter on housing issues, as she reveals the shocking truth about 700,000 empty homes in the UK and their potential to help the housing crisis. Nathan Gower dives into the nuances of violent crime statistics, contrasting police records with surveys for a clearer picture. Meanwhile, Professor Jennifer Dowd breaks down the alarming drop in fertility rates, shedding light on childbearing trends and their implications. Together, they provide fascinating insights into the UK’s pressing social challenges.
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Empty Homes Are Mostly Transient
- England's council tax data showed about 754,280 properties classed as empty on a single October snapshot in 2025.
- Only ~150,000 long-term empties (over a year, no exemption) are realistic candidates to add to housing stock.
Many Empties Aren't Available
- Many empty properties are short-term gaps between lets, sales, or renovations and are in constant flux.
- Around 200,000 are exempt from council tax for reasons like owner death or long-term care, limiting immediate reuse.
‘New Homes’ Means Net Additions
- Net additional dwellings count conversions and demolitions as well as new builds, so the government's 1.5m target differs from pure new builds.
- In 2024–25 about 208,600 homes were added, well below the ~300,000 per year needed to hit 1.5m in five years.