Number of homes being built slumps 19%

The number of new homes being built in England has slumped by 19% in the past year, new figures show.

A total of 33,400 new properties were started in the three months to the end of June – up 2% on the previous quarter, but down 19% for the same period last year.

The Department of Communities and Local Government statistics also show the number of new homes started dropped to 147,500 in the year to the end of June – down 12% on the previous 12 months.

The only good news comes from the social housing sector with homes built by registered social landlords up 56% for the quarter compared to last year.

The Guardian also reported there had been a 27% decline in the past year in the number of properties built by private developers.