More homes are being delivered, government reports...

There were over 131,000 housebuilding completions in the past year, according to the latest government data.

The figure represents a 15% increase on the previous 12 months and is the highest annual total recorded since 2009.

Private housing starts in England increased by 3% in the 12 months to June 2015 when compared with the same period a year earlier.

In the year to June, 112,870 private new homes were started. On a quarterly basis, private starts fell by 12% to 28,110 during Q2 2015, when compared with the first quarter of the year.

The biggest increase in completions was recorded in Southwark, where there was 178% more in the year to June when compared to 2014.

Southwark was followed by Southampton (+166%), Manchester (+138%), Northumberland (+125%) and Sunderland (+111%).

Commenting on the figures, housing minister Brandon Lewis said: “Our One Nation government has got the country building again with today’s figures showing that 131,060 extra homes have been built in the past year. This has provided a real boost to the UK’s construction industry and is delivering the homes that hard-working people rightly deserve.”

“However, we know there is more to do. That is why we have outlined plans to deliver 275,000 affordable homes by the end of this Parliament – the fastest rate of building for 20 years.”

“We’re also determined to support those who aspire to own their own home, which is why we’re making up to £10 million available to bring forward brownfield sites to build new Starter

Homes which will be available to young first-time buyers at a 20% discount,” he added.

In response to the government’s figures, the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is calling on local authorities not to become roadblocks to delivering new homes.

The RLA’s plea comes as the government is soon expected to make permanent a measure introduced in 2013 which makes it easier to convert redundant, empty and under-used office space in to new homes.

“With the [rental] sector expected to account for twenty five per cent of UK households by 2025, it is vital that the planning system does not put unnecessary obstacles in the way of landlords seeking to meet this demand,” says David Smith, the RLA’s policy director.

“The Government’s intentions are clear and local authorities should not seek to thwart them. Instead, councils have an opportunity to show themselves to be willing partners in delivering the mix of homes their communities need.”