Figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government show that starts of new housebuilding declined by 8% over the 12 months to June 2007. Last year, 184,900 new houses were commenced, while this year the figure was only 168,800.

Figures for the first quarter of 2007 show a 10% dip in starts from the same quarter in 2006.

Completions rose slightly over the same period, seeing a 2% increase over the 12 months to June, and a 1% increase on this quarter last year.

Over the longer term, starts have risen 19% and completions 26% since the beginning of the decade, but appear to have levelled off in the past twelve months.

The full figures can be found here.