New house building figures released on 8 May by the National House-Building Council (NHBC) for Q1 2015 show that more than 40,000 new homes were registered in the UK during the first three months of the year, an increase of 18% on the same period last year.

In total, 40,281 new homes (30,691 private sector and 9,590 public sector) were registered, compared to 34,163 (24,428 private sector and 9,735 public sector) registered during Q1 last year.

This represents a year-on-year 26% increase for the private sector, with the public sector marginally down by 1%.

Figures for March show that 17,210 new houses were registered (12,699 private sector and 4,511 public sector), an increase of 32% registered in the same month last year (13,068; 9,051 private sector and 4,017 public sector).

Commenting on the latest registration statistics, NHBC chief executive, Mike Quinton, said: "Our figures show an encouraging start to 2015 with new housing registrations up 18% on the first quarter of last year. Housing growth levels remain strong across virtually every part of the UK.

“However, we have made clear that the UK is still building way below the volumes of homes that we need. NHBC looks forward to working with government to ensure that high-quality new housing is a top priority.”