Housebuilding completions reached a record low in 2010 at 102,570, according to the latest government figures.
But the bad news, a 13% reduction on 2009 and the lowest completion total since 1923, was offset by a 32% growth in housing starts to 103,140.
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) responded to the figures by calling for “real action” to prevent the crisis from deepening.
“The problem is that we have a planning system in the midst of radical change, expensive and unnecessary red tape and a shortage of mortgage availability,” it said.
“If we are going to weather this perfect storm, tackle the housing shortage and produce growth across the country we need early action to resolve and simplify planning, reduce regulation and encourage lenders to lend again.
But the HBF welcomed the government’s newly-announced New Homes Bonus, a plan to encourage local authorities to build more homes.
