Housing Supply
Percentage increase in types of housing, 1992-2006
This graph shows the percentage increase in different types of housing between 1992 and 2006, including both new builds and stock that has been converted to a different form of tenure.
Housing stock in the UK increased from 23.8 million to 26.4 million homes, (a 12.2% increase), with similar increases in England, Scotland and Wales, while Northern Ireland has increased its stock by the much higher rate of 30.7%.
Local authority housing stock declined in all countries, while housing associations' stock increased sharply, partially reflecting housing policies that support the transfer of council estates into housing association ownership.
Northern Ireland saw a significant increase in privately rented housing compared to all other countries, probably reflecting new-build patterns to meet population growth and housing demand.
Source: UK Housing Review, 2008: 107
Housing stock by tenure, 2006
The UK is a country of home-owners, with over 70% of homes in private ownership in 2006.
Social housing (8.3% housing associations and 10.2% local authorities) and the private rented sector (11.3%) make up a small percentage of the remaining housing stock in the UK.
Scotland has the lowest level of owner-occupation (67.1%) and the largest proportion of social housing (25.5%).
Privately rented housing stock is most prevalent in England – forming nearly 12% of all homes.
Source: UK Housing Review, 2008: 94
New build housing, 1997-2007
This graph shows the total number of new dwellings started between 1991 and 2007, which is useful for understanding the dynamics of supply and demand in the UK. It should be reviewed alongside housing completion rates.
The average number of new-build starts across the UK during the period 1991 to 2007 was 198,620 per annum, well below the 240,000 per annum target set for England alone.
England has been the most volatile (prone to rapid change) in terms of housing starts compared with Scotland, which has been relatively stable.
In 2007, a downturn was already evident in new starts compared to recent years across the UK.
Source: UK Housing Review, 2008: 99
Housing completions, 1991-2007
This graph shows the total number of housing completions between 1991 and 2007. This is a useful way of understanding the dynamics of supply and demand in each country of the UK.
The average annual number of completions across the UK during the period 1991 to 2007 was 192,040.
In 2007 the number of house completions was still increasing, reflecting the rising number of homes that had begun construction (new starts) in previous few years, although new starts were already falling in 2007.
The downturn has resulted in a decrease in the number of new planning applications in the second quarter of 2009. The implication is that new housing completions will be significantly lower than in 2001-2007 for some years to come.
Source: UK Housing Review, 2008: 99
New house starts begun in 2007
This graph shows the percentage of new housing by tenure that began construction in 2007 in each country and the UK as a whole.
Most new-build starts in the UK are for market housing (homes for private sale) and are undertaken by the private sector (nearly 90%) with only around 10% by housing associations.
Scotland has different new-build start patterns to the rest of the UK, with less private sector housing (78%) and a larger proportion provided by the social sector (20%).
Source: UK Housing Review, 2008: 99
Housing completions in 2007
This graph shows the percentage of completions by tenure in 2007 for each country and the UK as a whole.
Very few local authorities delivered many housing completions due to changes in policy. However, housing associations continued to play a strong role in England and Scotland.
Wales and Northern Ireland were more dependent on the private sector to deliver housing completions.
Source: UK Housing Review, 2008: 99