The number of empty homes in England has reached a 10-year low.

There are now 700,000 more homes than in 2009, according to Housing Minister Brandon Lewis.

The figures show the government's plan to increase house building to help hard-working families onto the property and boost jobs and growth in the British house building industry is working.

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The figures show:

• in the 12 months to September, there were 138,640 housing starts

• a total of 700,000 new homes delivered in England since the end of 2009

• a fall in the numbers of empty homes by 160,000 since the end of 2009 – meaning the number of empty homes in England is now at a 10-year low.

Minister Lewis said: "There are now 700,000 more homes in England than there were in 2009, house building is up 16% compared to last year, hard-working tenants are taking up their Right to Buy and the numbers of empty homes are now at a 10-year low."

(CD/JP)