Press release

Home building stats show continued increase in starts and completions despite pandemic

Statistics show the number of completed homes almost hit 50,000 in the last quarter – the highest number in over 20 years.

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2018 to 2021) and The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP
Published
1 July 2021
This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government
new homes
  • Nearly 50,000 new homes built in the first 3 months of 2021 – the highest figure in over 20 years
  • Home building in England continues to increase following government interventions as we build back better from the pandemic
  • Houses make up 81% of all new builds versus flats – highest proportion since 2000-01

The number of homes being built continues to rise following a range of measures put in place by the government to support the industry during the pandemic, the latest housebuilding figures show.

There were 49,470 completed homes in the first quarter of 2021 – the highest figure in over 20 years and a 4% increase compared to the last 3 months of 2020. During the same period 46,010 homes were started, the highest number in nearly 15 years and a 7% increase on the previous quarter.

The figures also show an increase in housebuilding starts in London with 14,530 in the year to March 2021, an increase of 18% compared to the previous 12 months.

In addition, the figures highlight that in 2020-21 houses made up 81% of all new build dwellings – the highest proportion since 2000-01.

The figures further reflect the housing and construction industry’s resilience following the measures the government has taken to keep building sites open during the pandemic.

Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:

It is encouraging to see a continued rise in the number of new homes being built. The house building sector has shown extraordinary resilience and the government has continued to demonstrate its support for the industry throughout the pandemic.

By enabling construction sites to remain open and operate safely, builders have been able deliver the homes this country needs as we build back better from the pandemic.

Further information

The statistics were released on 30 June and can also be found via the interactive dashboard.

Recent government support for home building includes:

  • During the pandemic we have introduced a range of measures, such as allowing builders to seek more flexible construction site working hours with their local councils and extending certain planning permissions that would otherwise lapse, in order to keep the sector moving.

  • We have set out an ambitious package of measures to ensure we build the right homes in the right places and level up opportunities across the country. This includes nearly £20 billion of investment in new housing as confirmed in the Spending Review, including over £12 billion of investment in affordable housing and our £7.1 billion National Home Building Fund.

  • We are also taking measures to support home buyers including First Homes which helps local first-time buyers – many of whom will be key workers – onto the property ladder by offering homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price. Furthermore, the 95% mortgage guarantee scheme helps first-time buyers secure a mortgage with just a 5% deposit.

  • First-time buyers can find the right scheme for them via the Own Your Home website which provides a single gateway for all routes to home ownership.

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Updates to this page

Published 1 July 2021

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