House building up 17% annually to hit 2007 high

The organisation, which provides warranties for new build homes, says more than 42,000 new homes were registered in the first three months of this year – an increase of 17% on the same period in 2016 and the highest quarter since 2007.

The figures revealed 31,197 homes were registered in the private sector, an increase of 10% on the same period a year ago (28,278), with 11,273 new homes registered in the affordable sector, representing a 40% increase on 2016 numbers (8,073).

Neil Jefferson, managing director of the NHBC said: “These figures, with growth across the entire country, are clearly encouraging for the sector, at a time when there is considerable demand for new, high-quality homes.

“This growth in Registrations, in both the private and affordable sector, is welcome news and will result in more newly built homes across the UK over the coming months.”

Earlier today shadow housing minister John Healey spoke of Labour’s plans to build a million new homes over a five year parliament if the party wins the General Election – less than the 300,000 homes per year target the House of Lords Economics Affairs Committee said was necessary to beat the housing crisis last year.