New home starts up by 12% in England in third quarter of 2018

The number of new homes being started in England increased by 12% in the third quarter of 2018 on a quarterly and annual basis, the latest official figures show. Meanwhile, completions were unchanged quarter on quarter but up by 3% year on year, according to the figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and (MHCLG). It means that starts are now 161% above the trough in the second quarter of 2009 but are still 9% below their peak in the second quarter of 2007. Completions are 65% above the trough in the second quarter of March 2013 and 15% below their peak in the second quarter of 2007.