The full extent of the housing slowdown is revealed in a new government report which says private housing orders decreased by 35% in the second quarter compared with a year ago.
The report, published by the Office for National Statistics, also says private housing orders for the year to June dipped by 20%, compared with the previous 12 months.
Public housing and housing association instructions fell by 11% in the second quarter, compared with a year ago, but rose 24% from the previous quarter.
Total new orders across the construction industry decreased by 21% in the second quarter from a year ago, and by 7% during the 12 months to June.
