Private housing shows particular rise from July to September, but 12-month figure is still 35% below previous year

Housing starts in England rose 18% from July to September, according to the latest government figures.

The 25,820 starts recorded was also 16% above the equivalent figure in 2008.

Particular growth was seen in private housing starts, with growth of 21% from the previous quarter and a rise of 20% on the same quarter last year.

However, the rises hid a continuing hangover from the collapse in housebuilding last year. The rolling 12-month starts figure of 83,080 was still 35% below the previous year and 55% below the peak figure from 2005/6.

The number of homes completed also continued to fall, down 4% on the previous quarter at 29,050.

Ian Baker, group managing director for housebuilding at Galliford Try Homes, said that while it was positive to see some improvement, the numbers were still well short of the government’s abandoned target of 240,000 new homes a year. He said: “The current constraints on funding mean housebuilders have no chance of meeting demand for the foreseeable future and we should not underestimate the hard work that is still ahead.”

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