Pretty sure mine is less than the rent on a similar house by now. Rent goes up with inflation forever, while mortgage rates are based on amount borrowed and interest rates. So 5% now and 5% in 20 years will be the same mortgage, but the rent will almost certainly be significantly more expensive.

Plus you get to own an entire house at the end of a mortgage, renting your landlord gets it.

It’s still better in the long run, I guess the reduction in the deposit percentage means anyone who can afford a monthly mortgage isn’t far off affording the deposit too? Obviously combined with the total mortgage amount getting rediculous

Yep. I'm in that half.