The number of homes started and completed are both down on the previous quarter, according to latest government data.

Based on building control figures, the number of homes started last quarter was 42,900 in April to June 2021, a 5% decrease. This was double the level in the same quarter from last year, although the pandemic was a large factor.

The number of dwellings completed was 43,660 in the same quarter, a 10% decrease on the previous quarter but more than double the same quarter a year ago.

The figures also show 243,770 net additional dwellings between April 2019 and March 2020, a 1% increase on the net additional dwellings created between April 2018 and March 2019.

There were also 59,590 new dwelling EPCs lodged in England in the quarter ending June 2021, over double the level in the same quarter last year. In the 12 months to June 2021, new dwelling EPCs totalled 250,991, an increase of 16% on the 12 months to June 2020.

There was also a net increase of 201,850 in the number of domestic properties with a council tax band in England between April 2020 and March 2021. This represents a 17% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year.

Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said: “Councils want to work with government to build the housing we need, ensuring it is affordable, built in the right places and supported by the right infrastructure to serve the needs of local communities.

“This is why we are calling on government in the Spending Review to give councils the powers and funding they need to build 100,000 green social homes for rent each year, which would help to tackle homelessness and achieve a third of the Government’s annual housing target.

“This should include further reform to Right to Buy, by allowing councils to retain 100% of receipts, have flexibility to combine Right to Buy receipts with other government grants and be able to set the size of discounts locally.

“With over 1.1 million homes given planning permission in the last decade also yet to be built, developers need to be incentivised to build housing more quickly.”