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New homes figures reveal continuing public/private sector divide

Figures released today by NHBC have shown the gap between private and public sector registrations to build new homes in the UK continues to widen, with social housing showing a 54% decrease for March 2012, compared to March last year (2,460 - 5,330).

Although private sector registrations to build new homes in March are down 10% compared to March 2011 (7,190 - 7,980), figures for the quarter were up 6% compared to same quarter in 2011 (20,310 - 19,090). Public sector registrations for the quarter revealed that figures are down 48% compared to the same quarter last year (5,690 - 10,920).

Commenting on the latest figures, Richard Tamayo, Commercial Director of NHBC, said: "The figures for the first quarter of 2012, show the gap between private and public house building levels continue to grow. Overall, figures for the first quarter of 2012 were down 13% on the same period last year. Contributing to this decline was the registration of the London Olympic village properties in the first quarter of 2011 which significantly inflated the comparative figures. 

"Regionally, we saw continued growth in housing figures in areas such as North West and North East of England which were particularly hard hit by the downturn. As 2012 progresses we should be able to monitor the impact of the measures announced in the Government's Housing Strategy which is aimed at giving a much needed boost to housing volumes."

New Homes Statistics Review Q1 2012

NHBC statistics for March 2012 show that:

1. In March 2012, the number of new homes registered (9,660) was 27% lower than March 2011 (13,310) and;

  • 7,190 new homes were registered in the private sector, 10% down on March 2011 (7,980)
  • During the month, 2,460 new homes were registered in the public sector (compared with 5,330 in 2011 - a 46% drop)

2. For the rolling quarter January - March 2012 the number of registrations was 26,000, 13% down on the same period last year (30,010). Of these:

  • Private sector registrations in January - March increased by 6% (20,310), compared with the same period in 2011 (19,090).
  • Public sector registrations in January - March decreased by 48% (5,690) when compared with the same period a year ago (10,920)

3. Full regional breakdown of new homes registered January 2012 to March 2012 by region/country:

Region

January - March 2012

January - March 2011

England - Regions

 

 

North East

1,070

690

North West

2,030

1,760

Yorkshire & the Humber

1,440

1,190

West Midlands

1,640

1,600

East Midlands

1,900

1,780

Eastern

2,440

3,450

South West

2,960

2,940

Greater London

4,530

8,580

South East

3,930

4,760

Totals for England

21,950

26,750

Scotland - Councils

2,700

1,950

Wales - Unitary Authorities

880

920

Northern Ireland - Counties

470

390

Totals for UK

26,000

30,010

 

From March 2012 our Quarterly Statistics are incorporated into NHBC's Housing Market Report - Subscribe here.

Media contact at NHBC

Nadia Bedra or James Hall
nbedra@nhbc.co.uk, 01908 746 734
jhall@nhbc.co.uk, 01908 746 738

News Date: 27/04/12