Housebuilding still failing to reach targets

Recent government figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, shows that housebuilding and the number of new build homes started and completed in the last quarter of 2019 fell below government targets.

The industry says the coronavirus pandemic is set to impact these further. With many non-essential sites shutting down, mortgage agreements extended and numerous contractors pausing works, the industry is concerned of the knock-on effect.

According to the figures, the new build dwellings figures should be regarded as a leading indicator of overall housing supply.

The figures show that during the last quarter, new build dwelling starts in England were estimated at 34,260, an 11% decrease compared to the previous three months and a 17% decrease on a year earlier.

Annual new build dwelling starts totalled 151,020 in the year to December 2019, a 10% decrease compared with the year to December 2018.

Clive Docwra, Managing Director of leading construction consulting and design agency McBains, said: “The government’s ambitious housebuilding target – delivering a million homes in the next five years – was always going to be extremely challenging, and the latest statistics bear this out.  However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will mean this is now virtually impossible.

“Many sites are empty, supply chains have been disrupted and multi-million pounds worth of private investment is on hold for the foreseeable future.  That will knock back housebuilding rates months, if not years.

“The government has already announced an unprecedented package of measures to help support business, but once we’ve turned the tide on the virus further help, such as tax incentives, will be needed to get the UK building again.”

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