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| Housing completions up by 15% in England | Housing completions up by 15% in England |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of new homes being built in England has risen significantly over the last year, government figures show. | The number of new homes being built in England has risen significantly over the last year, government figures show. |
| In the year to June, 131,060 homes were completed, a rise of 15% on the same period a year ago. | In the year to June, 131,060 homes were completed, a rise of 15% on the same period a year ago. |
| On a quarterly basis, between April and June, the number of completions rose by 22%, compared to 2014. | On a quarterly basis, between April and June, the number of completions rose by 22%, compared to 2014. |
| However, the number of homes being started fell by 1% over the year, to 136,320, and by 6% on a quarterly basis. | However, the number of homes being started fell by 1% over the year, to 136,320, and by 6% on a quarterly basis. |
| The increase in completions was welcomed by the National Housing Federation (NHF). | The increase in completions was welcomed by the National Housing Federation (NHF). |
| "Today's figures are encouraging as they show house building is at its highest level since 2008," said Henry Gregg, the NHF's assistant director of campaigns. | "Today's figures are encouraging as they show house building is at its highest level since 2008," said Henry Gregg, the NHF's assistant director of campaigns. |
| "However, we need to continue to increase our efforts as a nation to build the homes that are desperately needed. Last year alone we built less than half of the homes needed," he said. | "However, we need to continue to increase our efforts as a nation to build the homes that are desperately needed. Last year alone we built less than half of the homes needed," he said. |
| Supply | Supply |
| The housing charity Shelter described the drop in housing starts as "shocking". | |
| "Once again, these figures show that we're not building anywhere near the number of homes needed each year, leaving millions of ordinary hard-working people priced out," said Campbell Robb, Shelter's chief executive. | |
| "And worryingly, despite claims by the government that progress is being made to solve our chronic housing shortage, the number of new homes started has actually decreased." | |
| The housing minister, Brandon Lewis, welcomed the figures, but admitted there was more to do. | |
| "That is why we have outlined plans to deliver 275,000 affordable homes by the end of this Parliament," he said. | "That is why we have outlined plans to deliver 275,000 affordable homes by the end of this Parliament," he said. |
| Last week the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) accused the government of failing to build enough homes. | Last week the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) accused the government of failing to build enough homes. |
| It said that the number of homes for sale per surveyor in England and Wales was at a record low, and that the lack of supply would force prices up still further. | It said that the number of homes for sale per surveyor in England and Wales was at a record low, and that the lack of supply would force prices up still further. |
| During the election campaign, David Cameron promised that 200,000 homes a year would be built by 2017, in addition to 200,000 starter homes by the end of the parliament. | During the election campaign, David Cameron promised that 200,000 homes a year would be built by 2017, in addition to 200,000 starter homes by the end of the parliament. |