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28th January 2021
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Figures show public sector house building still low, but private sector making progress
Figures released today by NHBC have shown public sector registrations to build new homes in the UK are still below last year's figures.
New home registration figures for the public sector during the rolling quarter February to April 2012 were 49% down, compared to the same time last year (5,867 - 11,521).
Although overall figures to build new homes in the UK were also down 15% (26,035 - 30,649), registrations to build new homes in the private sector were up 5% when compared with the same period last year (20,168 - 19,128).
The comparison against the February to April 2011 period is affected by the registration of approximately 2,800 London Olympic Village properties. Taking these units out of the equation, private sector registrations in the UK rose by 14% overall, with almost all the English regions experiencing some growth. However, even excluding the London Olympic Village properties in the 2011 comparative figures, 2012 saw a substantial drop in social housing registrations continuing a consistent trend during the year to date.
"Despite seeing modest, but sustainable and widespread growth in private housing, the large drop-off in social housing registrations mean that overall volumes have fallen compared with the same period last year," reports Richard Tamayo, NHBC Commercial Director.
"This reduction in social housing may simply be a hiatus as the industry moves from one funding model to another. Meanwhile, it seems clear that the private sector is likely to continue to be the engine for much-needed growth in overall housing supply. Therefore monitoring the success of initiatives such as the New Buy scheme and changes to make the planning system more flexible will be key to understanding how the next few years will play out."
NHBC UK statistics for February to April 2012 show that:
1. For the rolling quarter February to April 2012 the number of registrations was 26,035, 15% down on the same period last year (30,649). Of these:
- Private sector registrations in February to April increased by 5% (20,168), compared with the same period in 2011 (19,128).
- Public sector registrations in February to April decreased by 49% (5,867) when compared with the same period a year ago (11,521)
2. Full regional breakdown of total new homes registered February to April 2012 by region/country:
Region February - April 2012 February - April 2011
England - Regions
North East 850 738
North West 2,024 2,078
Yorkshire & the Humber 1,266 1,477
West Midlands 1,942 1,545
East Midlands 1,917 1,844
Eastern 2,499 3,559
South West 2,688 3,281
Greater London 4,307 7,988
South East 4,123 4,578
Totals for England 21,616 27,088
Scotland - Councils 2,876 2,105
Wales - Unitary Authorities 1,035 1,003
Northern Ireland - Counties 471 447
Isle of Man 37 6
Totals for UK 26,035 30,649
25th May 2012