Housebuilding starts on the rise in the March quarter

New starts are at their highest levels since 2007.

New housebuilding statistics have been released today that show building starts in England increased by 31% in the March quarter. 

Building starts for the latest quarter have been estimated at 40,300 which is almost a third better than the previous quarter and is 11% up on this time last year. 

The figures recorded in 2015 up to March show a 5% rise in new starts in comparison to the previous year, with 140,500 new homes having commenced construction. 

In terms of completions in the March quarter, that figure also makes for good reading because the estimate of 34,040 is 10% better than the previous quarter and this figure is more than a fifth higher than the same time last year. 

Annually, housing completions in the 12 months to March totalled 125,110 – an increase of 11% from the 12 months to March 2014. 

The housing starts are at a level not seen in this country since 2007 and completions have not been this high since 2009. 

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis is delighted with the housebuilding figures and believes that it is ‘vital’ that the momentum that has now been built is maintained. 

He said: “Housebuilding is at the heart of our plan to ensure the recovery reaches all parts of our country. We’re turning around an industry that was devastated and getting the country building again.

“Today’s figures show these efforts are reaping results, with housebuilding starts having more than doubled since 2009, and completions at their highest for nearly six years.

“It is vital we maintain this momentum, getting workers back on sites and homes built – giving more people the chance to own their own home.”

Seasonally adjusted, the housing starts in the private sector and housing associations both increased at levels of 30% and 36% respectively. 

The pattern of increase continued in terms of completions with the level up by 7% from the previous quarter. 

Completions by housing associations fared even better, with a 24% increase from the December quarter. 

Annually, private enterprise starts increased by 8%, which is the same level as completions in that time. 

The interest in housebuilding is going to be high on the Government’s agenda given the targets put in place to get the country building again. 

Affordable homes is high on the agenda, with plans to increase construction of affordable housing to a level that makes it the fastest in 20 years by 2020. 

Housebuilding starts has increased regionally in the March quarter, with Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Essex reporting large increases. 

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