Latest government figures show quarterly new build starts up 17% as completions fall

On a regional level, the MHCLG stats show starts decreased from the previous year in all regions. The largest percentage decreases from the previous year were in London (-72%) and the East Midlands (-49%).

Completions decreased in seven of the nine regions since the previous year.

The largest percentage decrease was in the West Midlands, where completions fell 22% since the previous year.

The government’s data release said: “Starts and completions both reached their lowest level in the June quarter 2020, reflecting the restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Following a sharp uptick in the September quarter 2020, starts have been more volatile, peaking in the June quarter 2023 and then falling sharply in the second half of 2023, partly due to changes in building regulations.

“Completions were broadly stable between the September quarter 2020 and the December quarter 2022, and have decreased since.”

By comparison, Homes England data released near the end of last year showed that social housing starts were up 148% and completions were up 63% between April and September last year.

This increase means the government’s housing and regeneration agency said it helped start building a total of 2,002 social rent homes between 1 April and 30 September, and completed 1,991.

The overall number of homes across affordable tenures started and completed also rose, with starts up 12% and completions 32%.

This means there were a total of 15,682 housing starts on site and 14,295 housing completions delivered through programmes managed by Homes England compared with the same period last year.

At the time, Peter Denton, chief executive of Homes England, said: “The statistics published show a strong set of half-year results, reflecting the sector’s hard work and determination to build the new homes and communities the country needs.

“We have worked closely with our partners over the past year to manage pressures on delivery and ensure they have the security and certainty to keep going.”

These latest figures come after a damning inquiry report from the Public Accounts Committee chastised the government’s homelessness strategy for being unclear, described Local Housing Allowance rates as having no logic, and called for an affordable homes target.