New figures have revealed more than 217,000 new homes have been built in England over the past year.

According to the government, a total of 217,350 new homes have been developed in 2016/17, up from 15% compared with 2015/16.

Welcoming the news, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said over 1.1 million homes have been delivered since 2010.


He also announced the government is considering action against 15 local authorities that have failed to produce a local plan setting how and where they expect to meet their residents' needs for new homes.

"Steps have been made in the right direction - but I want to see a giant leap, and hundreds of thousands more homes," Minister Javid said.

"We owe it to our future generations to fix this broken housing market and help them find a home of their own.

"Whilst some councils are recognising their responsibilities and stepping up to meet the housing challenge, too many are still not acting. That's why I'm stepping in now to make sure they act."

(LM/MH)