Government support for housing market and construction industry has led to a very healthy increase in the number of completed homes.
Stats released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Robert Jenrick MP showed the number of new homes developers have started building have more than doubled compared to the previous quarter – and the number of completed homes almost tripled compared to previous quarter.
The release statement said:
“Decisive government action to support the housing and construction industries to reopen safely leads to housing industry bouncing back.” Support for all of those involved in the housing market, from renters and buyers to builders, and measures to help the construction industry to work safely during the pandemic, has led to an increase in the number of completed homes, new housebuilding figures published today (14 January 2021) show.
“The official statistics show 35,710 homes were started in July to September 2020 – a 111% increase when compared to the previous quarter – while, 45,000 homes were completed in the same period, representing a 185% increase on the previous quarter.
“Today’s figures reflect the housing and construction industry’s resilience and measures they have taken to keep building sites open, in line with public health advice.”
Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
“Today’s figures show that the number of new homes developers have started building have more than doubled compared to the previous quarter and the number of completed homes has almost tripled. This reflects the government’s commitment throughout the pandemic to support industry to enable construction sites to remain open and operate safely.
“We extended planning permission deadlines and flexible working hours on sites so that builders, architects and developers have been able to continue working, while following public health advice. In turn this has protected millions of jobs, from builders, through to estate agents and carpenters.
“The housing industry is key to our economic recovery, which is why we’re investing £12 billion in affordable housing, providing £400 million to build more homes on brownfield land, and investing £7.1 billion for a new National Home Building Fund over the next 4 years, unlocking up to 860,000 homes.”
