Londoners found themselves facing yet another week of travel chaos as Tube drivers and other underground staff walked out in a major strike, grinding much of the city’s public transport to a halt. The dispute, which erupted on September 10, 2025, centers on pay, working conditions, and a contentious claim: that even a £72,000 salary isn’t enough for Tube workers to buy a home in the capital. The industrial action, led by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, has left many Tube lines out of service, forced commuters onto crowded buses and bikes, and sparked a heated debate about salaries, housing affordability, and the economic cost of strikes.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey, speaking to Times Radio on the first day of the strike, asserted, “Well, you can’t afford to buy a house in London, even on £72,000.” He elaborated, “I think workers should be able to afford to live in London. And if you’ve got to be earning more than £100,000 to buy a house in London, £72,000 is not out of this world.” Dempsey’s remarks came as the union pressed for a reduced four-day, 32-hour working week and rejected Transport for London’s (TfL) offer of a 3.4% pay rise.
The walkout has not only disrupted daily routines but is also expected to deal a significant blow to London’s economy. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) estimates the direct cost at a staggering £230 million, a figure that underscores the high stakes of the ongoing standoff. According to The Independent, many Londoners have voiced frustration at the strike’s timing and its impact on businesses, with some questioning whether the union’s demands are realistic in the current economic climate.
But is it really impossible for a Tube driver earning £72,000 to buy a home in London? Mortgage experts and property analysts have weighed in, challenging the union’s narrative. Chris Sykes, of MSP Financial Solutions, told The Telegraph, “£72,000 is a strong salary to be working with in today’s market.” He explained that a buyer on this income could potentially afford a home priced at £480,000, provided they could put down a 10% deposit of £48,000 and cover around £14,000 in additional costs such as stamp duty and broker fees. Sykes pointed to examples like two-bedroom houses in Stratford listed at £475,000, and similar properties in Brixton and Finsbury Park ranging from £425,000 to £475,000. Even in desirable pockets of west London, homes under £475,000 can be found, he noted.
For those with a smaller deposit, the options remain viable, though more limited. With just a 5% deposit, a buyer could target a £455,000 property, such as a two-bedroom house in Catford, which typically sells for around £450,000. Sykes even cited a current client—a single first-time buyer earning £68,000—who was able to secure a £408,000 mortgage and find a flat in the city. “This means she can definitely buy a flat in London,” he added, illustrating that homeownership, while challenging, isn’t out of reach for Tube drivers.
Other mortgage brokers echoed this assessment. Nicholas Mendes, of John Charcol, told The Telegraph, “£72k is a strong salary to be working with in today’s market. Most lenders would be comfortable offering between four and five times that income, which works out to a mortgage in the region of £325,000 to £360,000.” With a 10% deposit, that brings the total budget to about £383,000—enough for a flat in Croydon or Bexley, with monthly repayments around £1,800 to £2,000, depending on the rate.
Of course, the London property market remains dauntingly expensive. The average house price in the capital stands at £663,070, with flats averaging £541,760, according to recent government data. However, as The Telegraph points out, more than half of London’s households live in flats, maisonettes, or apartments, and there are “pockets of affordability” scattered across the city. Official statistics put the average London salary at £65,994 in 2024, well below the Tube driver’s wage, and markedly higher than the South East average of £46,006.
Despite these figures, Dempsey and the RMT remain resolute. The union isn’t just seeking higher pay—it’s also pushing for improved working conditions, including a 75% discount on all mainline train tickets outside London via a Rail Staff Leisure Card, as well as perks like discounted entry to theme parks and guided tours of Buckingham Palace. While some critics have dismissed these demands as excessive, RMT lead negotiator Jared Wood told The Standard, “The idea that this is any part of industrial negotiations is complete nonsense.”
For its part, TfL has argued that some union demands—particularly the call for a cut in the 35-hour week—are simply unaffordable. Nick Dent, London Underground’s director of customer operations, stated that meeting these terms would cost “hundreds of millions of pounds,” a burden the public purse cannot bear. Downing Street has also weighed in, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table. “We want to see RMT and TfL get back around the table when it comes to these strikes, work together in good faith to resolve this situation in the interests of passengers,” said the prime minister’s official spokesperson.
While the union’s leadership insists that disruption is a last resort, Dempsey was frank about the stakes. “We take no pleasure in disruption,” he said, “but we make no apology for fighting hard for our members.” He warned of a “collapse” in industrial relations and hinted at further strikes if progress isn’t made on issues like the impact of shift work. “We want progress towards recognition about the impact of shift work,” Dempsey explained, emphasizing that the union’s fight is about more than just pay—it’s about dignity, security, and the right to live in the city they serve.
As Londoners endure yet another week of gridlocked streets and packed buses, the debate over what constitutes a fair wage and a livable city shows no sign of abating. The numbers suggest that homeownership is possible for Tube drivers, albeit with sacrifices and savvy financial planning. Yet the broader questions—about the value of essential workers, the cost of living, and the future of labor relations in Britain’s capital—remain as urgent as ever. With both sides dug in and the city caught in the middle, all eyes are on the next move in this high-stakes standoff.