Figures show private housebuilding slightly up; public sector still in doldrums

Picture of new flats for Expert Witness storyFigures from the NHBC have revealed that private-sector housing registrations in the UK had their best month for over a year in July, with 8,105 registrations. However, that still leaves private-sector registrations down 10% for the rolling quarter May to July compared to the same period last year (21,574 and 23,996 respectively).

Across all sectors registrations were down 21% compared to the same three months last year (28,951 against 36,716), with public sector registrations continuing to decline: 42% down during the rolling quarter.

Commenting on the latest figures, NHBC commercial director Richard Tamayo said: "July's registration figures showed that the sector bounced back from a poor June. The sector continues to show a consistent pattern of decline compared to the same period in 2011.

"Next month's anticipated announcement of the coalition's detailed plans to relax the rules that require private housebuilders to include substantial social housing in large projects will undoubtedly benefit the private sector. It may even result in some support for social housing volumes; a reduced social proportion of a viable site is better than a theoretically larger proportion on a site which is made unviable and therefore never developed at all."

• The NHBC is the country's best-known new home warranty and insurance provider. It also provides expert witness services in cases of dispute regarding building standards and has co-operated with experts in other fields to produce reports and guidance for housebuilders.