NEW figures have revealed the number of house building completions in England fell to a record low in 2010, down 13 per cent on the previous year.

Just 102,570 new homes were completed — the lowest number since 1923.

The figures were published as details of the ‘new homes bonus,’ were announced by the government, in a bid to encourage local authorities to build more homes.

The bonus is a key plank in the proposed new planning system.

Household formation projections show that 232,000 new homes need to be built in each year to 2030 to meet demand.

A spokesman forn the House Building Federation, said: “The figures reveal the extent of the housing crisis and we need real action now to prevent it deepening.

“The problem is that we have a planning system in the midst of radical change, expensive and unnecessary red tape and a shortage of mortgage availability.

“If we are going to weather this perfect storm, tackle the housing shortage and produce growth across the country we need early action to resolve and simplify planning, reduce regulation and encourage lenders to lend again.”