There are over 200,000 long-term empty homes in England, according to research based on government statistics.

The report, published by Empty Homes and supported by retail bank Aldermore,  says the figure represents 0.88% of the  country’s houses, with the greatest proportion of empty homes in the north east.

Charles Haresnape, Group Managing Director, Mortgages, at Aldermore Bank, said: “The lack of housing supply is the biggest challenge facing the housing market today.

“To meet current demand we need to take a two-pronged approach; refurbishing empty homes and bringing them back into use, combined with building new homes.”

Until 1990 the number of homes built every year was over 200,000, but the total has only exceeded that figure in four years since then.

The report calls on the government to support the development of at least 20,000 homes from long-term empty properties by 2020.

Helen Williams, CEO of the Empty Homes Charity, said: “With so many people priced out of decent housing across England, there is an imperative to make the most of the empty homes we have in all parts of England, alongside building new homes that are within the reach of people on low to ordinary incomes.”