An increased number of homes were registered by house builders during February, according to NHBC, with the highest number of public sector registrations for the last nine months.

During February, 8,917 new homes were registered in the UK, compared to 7,788 in January. Of those, 3,289 were registered in the public sector (compared with 2,304 in January) - the highest since May 2010, when 3,795 new homes were registered.

-- Advertisement --

The number of private sector registrations during February (5,628) rose compared to January as well (5,484), but was lower overall than the same month last year (6,736.)

Imtiaz Farookhi, Chief Executive of NHBC, said: "The recent budget delivered a welcome boost to the housing industry with first time buyers given incentive to buy and housebuilders given incentive to build. The fact that the number of private sector registrations during February was down on 2010 figures suggests that many housebuilders this year were waiting to see what the budget - and indeed the key spring selling season - would bring.

"Certainly following this week's announcement we are hopeful that this sense of caution will ease going forward."

(CD/GK)