Latest figures for NHBC registrations show house building is these regions is starting to motor as starts in London ease off because of shortages of land and rising labour costs

In the three months to August, registrations jumped by 27% compared to the previous years across the Midlands.

While London new home registrations dropped by 15% and the wider south east suffered a 7.5% fall.

Across the country as a whole NHBC registrations rose 10% in August to 10,742 and by 6% over the three-month period compared to last year.

In the rolling 12 months to August the NHBC recorded 137,500 new homes across the UK.

The NHBC total highlights the challenge ahead for all political parties which have made tackling the housing crisis a political priority in pre-electioneering.

NHBC’s Chief Executive Mike Quinton said: “Labour’s pledged to make housing a capital spending priority, shows that housing remains a key political issue and highlights the current shortfall.”

With the private sector proving once again to be the main engine of growth, NHBC anticipates that volumes in the public sector will begin to improve once funding is agreed and allocated as part of the second phase of the National Affordable Housing Programme.