Construction for residential housebuilding is rapidly improving, as starts surged by 24% quarter-on-quarter and 22% year-on-year.
The research, from construction firm Glenigan, suggested that housebuilding is outperforming the rest of the construction sector.
For construction as a whole, starts in the three months to April only rise by 7% quarter-on-quarter and 3% year-on-year.
Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s economics director, said: “Builders were reporting falling workloads at the end of last year, reflecting a period of real uncertainty across the construction sector.
“However, the latest figures, particularly in residential, suggest that fortunes may be starting to turn.
“This uptick in activity is encouraging, but sustained recovery will depend on confidence filtering through the supply chain.
“The government’s much-anticipated spending review in June will be a crucial moment. If it brings clarity on major infrastructure investment, it could unlock momentum not just for big-ticket schemes, but the smaller, local projects captured in this data too; the kind councils are waiting to greenlight.”
Private housing starts surged 22% compared to the preceding three months, a 29% increase compared to last year.
Social housing also saw strong performance, with a 29% increase on the previous quarter, and standing 3% up on the same period in 2024.
Regional focus
The South West led regional performance, with construction starts rising 15% compared to the previous three months and climbing 29% on the same period last year.
Similarly, the South East saw strong growth, increasing 32% on the preceding quarter and rising 8% year-on-year.
London experienced a 22% increase in activity compared to the previous quarter, though it was still down 10% on the previous year.
The North West also saw an uplift, rising 25% against the preceding three months, but remained 20% behind 2024 figures.
The North East had a mixed performance, declining 4% against the previous quarter but standing 11% up compared to the previous year
The West Midlands had a more challenging quarter, with starts rising 16% against the preceding three months, but declining 6% on the same period in 2024.