Number of new homes more than doubles over three months

The number of new homes under construction more than doubled in the third quarter of last year. 

Nearly three times as many homes were completed over the same period.

The official statistics show that in England and Wales, 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. 

The government says the figures reflect the housing and construction industry’s resilience despite all the problems caused by Covid-19. 

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick welcomed the figures and said: “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.

“We are also taking measures to support home buyers – for example we temporarily cut Stamp Duty Land Tax until the end of the financial year.

“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.”

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