In the first part of a two-part article, we look at why people are choosing to live in smaller units and who these people are.

There are more of us. We are living longer. We are divorcing more. We are living alone more. And an increasing number of us weren't born in the UK, writes David Lawrenson.

This is the picture of modern Britain, and it is having a big effect on house prices and rents.

A few years ago, economist Kate Barker was commissioned by the government report on housing supply and availability.

Her report made grim reading and showed just how far behind we are at building enough houses for all the people who live in the UK or who want to come here.