November's housebuilding figures show rise

Housebuilding figures for November 2002 show that the number of dwellings started was 14,200, while 15,400 were completed.

Figures from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) reveal that seasonally adjusted figures (the three months to November) were up 13% on the previous three month period and 3% higher than the same period in 2001.

Completions also showed a 9% rise over the previous three months and were up 6% against the same period the year before.

In England, seasonally adjusted figures showed that total starts were up 16% on the previous three months, with completions up 9%.

Against the same period last year, total starts were up 3% and completions rose by 6%.

The ODPM is now planning to publish quarterly housing figures from the financial year 2003/04 as monthly figures are "too variable".