The dream of owning a home is slipping out of reach for a growing proportion of Britons as high prices force young adults to abandon hope of following their parents onto the property ladder in their early 20s.

Despite a long tradition of home ownership, 41pc of people in the UK do not think they will ever buy a property of their own, according to an ING study.

This is one of the highest proportions in Europe, with only Germans and Italians viewing themselves as less likely to make a purchase - countries with longer histories of renting or living with family.