Housing starts and completion hit seven year record high

According to official figures the number of starts and completions on new build homes has reached a seven year record high, with over 143,500 new builds started, the highest level since 2008.

The figure shows a 23 per cent increase on new builds compared to in 2014 and a 91 per cent increase when compared to June 2009.

Statistics from the Home Builders Federation also show a 12 per cent rise in planning compared to the same time last year.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: “Aspiring homeowners should get the help they need to turn their dream into a reality – key to that is building the homes our country needs.

“Today’s figures show how our reforms to the planning system are delivering the permissions needed and schemes like Help to Buy have given builders the confidence to invest and build, with starts and completions now at their highest since 2008.

“But we’re determined to do even more, and fulfil our ambition to deliver one million new homes by 2020-21.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis commented: “We’ve got the country building again with starts nearly double the low point of 2009 and along with completions hitting a seven-year high.

“However we’re not complacent. That’s why we’ve set out the most ambitious housing vision for more than a generation, doubling the housing budget so we can meet our ambition of delivering a million new homes.”