Rent increases seem to have been affected by the pandemic and the flow of people out of, especially, London. Space and gardens seem to be important, but also the realisation that remote working is viable, if not always desirable. That's creating specific problems for London as the "middle" (and their prospective families) moves out taking their London salaries with them. Elsewhere, it's increasing property prices and placing pressure on the rental market.
It is interesting how the focus is on energy costs: this was a transnational problem before Russia invaded Ukraine and although that may have exacerbated the problem, prices were already rising and for a range of inter-related reasons.
The good news is the revitalisation of the trades unions, the amount of industrial action we are seeing and the huge support of the general public for striking workers. We have combined action and co-ordination in Leicester which is fabulous.
I hadn't thought of the migration thing and rents, it's a fair point.
I must say I'm enjoying the Trades Unions coming back to the fore for sure!