The number of new homes approved during the quarter was 39,170, a 55% drop from the previous quarter and 32% lower than the same period in 2024.

Based on data from Glenigan, this is the third lowest level since such data first began to be collected in 2006.

The rolling annual number of units approved in the year to the first quarter of 2025 was 225,067 or 7% lower than the preceding 12-month period.

This is the lowest 12-monthly outturn recorded since 2013.

For context, that figure is 61% of the 370,000 number the government has stated as an ambition to achieve.

The number of projects, or sites, approved in the first quarter was 2,010 or 18% lower than the preceding quarter.

Meanwhile, the rolling number of projects approved in the year to the first quarter of 2025 was 9,275.

This figure is a record low and the 12th quarter in a row that the annual rolling number has been at its lowest since the data began to be compiled.

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Neil Jefferson, CEO at the HBF, has said these figures are “disastrous” for both the industry and the government.

As such, he said more needs to be done beyond planning reform.

“Ministers have to address the fact that potential home owners are unable to buy due to the lack of affordable mortgage lending and the absence for the first time in decades of any government support scheme (for first time buyers),” said Neil.

“Similarly, it needs to ensure housing associations are financially able to purchase the affordable homes house builders deliver.

“Without a functioning market for private or affordable homes it is impossible for industry to deliver them.

“Planning permissions and house building levels will not increase unless ministers work with industry and tackle the issues preventing companies from pressing the accelerator and investing in the sites, skills and supply chains needed build the homes the country needs.”