House building still on the up despite February fall, reports NHBC
National House Building Council
The number of new homes registered in the UK increased by 14% for the rolling quarter December to February compared to the same period last year, according to figures released today by NHBC.
In total 29,557 new homes were registered from December 2013 to February 2014, compared to 26,004 for the corresponding period 12 months ago.
However, the latest figures reveal that the February total of 9,484 registrations was slightly down on last February (10,538). This could be a knock on effect of the bad weather experienced at the start of the year.
As the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK, NHBC’s registration statistics are a leading indicator of how the country’s new homes market is performing.
Commenting on the latest statistics, NHBC’s Commercial Director Richard Tamayo said: “Although the results for February in isolation are not particularly strong, the rolling quarter shows that the number of new homes being registered continues to increase.
“Our latest statistics show there is still a way to go before the country starts seeing figures on a par with pre-recession registration statistics, but the new measures revealed in last week’s Budget show that the Government remains committed to boosting the house-building sector.”
Notes:
NHBC UK statistics for December 2013 – February 2014 show that
1. For the rolling quarter December 2013 – February 2014 the number of registrations was 29,557, a 14% increase on the same period last year (26,004). Of these:
• Private sector registrations in December 2013 – February 2014 increased by 13% (21,336), compared with the same period in 2013 (18,824).
• Public sector registrations in December 2013 – February 2014 increased by 14% (8,221) when compared with the same period a year ago (7,180).
Full regional breakdown of total new homes registered December 2013 – February 2014 by region/country:
Region
Dec 2013 – Feb 2014
Dec 2012 – Feb 2013
England - Regions
North East
799
938
North West
2,282
1,604
Merseyside
430
457
Yorkshire the Humber
1,452
1,548
West Midlands
2,651
1,932
East Midlands
2,485
2,357
Eastern
2,674
2,932
South West
3,096
2,496
Greater London
5,754
4,804
South East
4,446
3,803
Totals for England
26,069
22,871
Scotland - Councils
2,368
1,716
Wales - Unitary Authorities
638
994
Northern Ireland - Counties
407
399
Isle of Man
75
24
Totals for UK
29,557
26,004