This statistical release from Communities and Local Government presents figures on new house building starts and completions in England and its regions up to the quarter ending June 2007.
In the quarter April to June 2007, there were around 42,600 starts and 43,800 completions. Comparing with the equivalent period to June 2006, new house starts were down 10% from the recent relatively high level in the June 2006 quarter and completions were up 1%.
In the first quarter January to March 2007 the slowdown in new house building accelerated to a fall of 9% compared with the first three months of 2006.
Comparing the 12 month period to June 2007 with the comparable period to June 2006, new house starts have declined by 8% to 168,800, dropping back from the recent high of 184, 900 in 2005-06. Completions over the same period have increased by 2% to 168,200.
Starts in most regions show falls from highs during the last two years, particularly in the North West, East Midlands, London and the South West. Most regions have maintained upward trends in completions, except for falls from recent high levels in the North West and the South East. The North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England and South West currently show their highest levels of completions over the ten year period since 1996/7.
