May 18 2007
This statistical release presents figures on new house building starts and completions in England and its regions up to the quarter ending March 2007. First figures for financial year 2006-07 are also presented. Tables for the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also included. (The detailed figures are presented in the accompanying Excel tables).
Summary
Over the long term since 2000-01 new build starts and completions have increased in England (22 per cent and 26 per cent respectively).
More recently comparing 2005-06 with 2006-07:
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Starts have declined by 6 per cent to 173,400;
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Completions have increased by 3 per cent to 167,700.
Between the latest quarter to March and the equivalent quarter in 2006:
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Starts have declined by 9 per cent to 43,600 from the high level in the March 2006 quarter;
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Completions have shown an increase of 18 per cent to 44,600.
Regional trends show that:
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Starts have flattened in most regions but fallen back from recent peaks in the North West, London and East of England;
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Most regions have maintained upward trends in completions, except for a levelling in the North West, West Midlands and the South East during the last financial year.
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The North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, East of England and South West currently show the highest levels of completions over the ten year period 1996-07 to 2006-07.
Starts and Completions in England
New figures show that over the longer term since 2000-01 both starts and completions have increased noticeably (22 per cent and 26 per cent respectively).
In England, new house building starts in 2006-07 totalled 173,400 (down 6 per cent on 2005-06). Completions totalled 167,700 (up 3 per cent up on 2005-06).
In the quarter to March 2007, there were around 43,600 starts and 44,600 completions. Comparing the recent quarter to March with the equivalent period in 2006:
The rolling annual trends show an upturn in completions in the March quarter. This upturn also continues the long term upward trend in completions. Trends in starts show a decline over 2006-07 from the high of 184,900 at the end of 2005-06, indicating a slow down of the long term increase.
Regional Trends
Starts
Trends in starts have mostly flattened in the North and the Midlands, with the exception of the North West where starts have been declining since the end of 2006-07. In southern regions starts have tailed off but remain well above levels during 2000-01.
Completions
Completions in the North and Midlands mostly continue long term upward trends, except for the North West and the West Midlands where they have levelled off. Most southern regions maintain upward trends in completions apart from the South East where the trend has flattened recently.
The North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, East of England and South West currently show the highest levels of completions over the ten year period 1996-07 to 2006-07.