Government figures released show a 24% decrease in the number of new homes started in the last year.

21,540 homes were started in the June quarter of 2012 - compared with 28,330 in the same quarter last year.

The figures are set to heighten expectations the Government will announce a new plan to boost house building.

Such a move could provide an opportunity not just to boost economic growth, but to help the growing numbers of people affected by the housing crisis.


However, any plans would have to include a significant number of new homes that would be genuinely affordable for struggling families.

Shelter's Chief Executive Campbell Robb said: "These shocking figures make it impossible for the Government to ignore the need for radical action to boost house building.

"With a flatlining construction sector, building significant numbers of new, genuinely affordable homes would create jobs and stimulate the economy.

"More importantly, it would send a clear message to the millions of people priced out of homeownership or struggling with high housing costs that the Government is on their side."

(CD/GK)