Housing Minister Brandon Lewis has welcomed new figures showing a rise in the numbers of homes being built across the country.

The latest house building figures show starts on new homes in 2014 totalled 137,010 – 10% higher than in 2013 and at their highest annual total since 2007.

New figures show that overall 700,000 new homes have been delivered since the end of 2009 – and over 200,000 of which have been since the launch of the Help to Buy scheme.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “We inherited a broken housing market in which builders couldn’t build, lenders wouldn’t lend and buyers couldn’t buy. We’ve done a lot to help get the housing industry back on its legs, but there’s more to do.

“Today’s figures show we’re on track and turning this around. Now, house building levels are at their highest annual total since 2007, and first-time buyers are getting on the property ladder in record numbers.

“This is thanks to our long-term economic plan and efforts to tackle the deficit we inherited, which are keeping interest rates at their record low and mean now is the best time on record to take out a mortgage.”

Homes built across the country

Croydon, where starts increased by 251% from 593 in 2013 to 2084 last year

Cornwall, where starts increased by 58% from 2,465 in 2013 to 3,892 last year

Leeds, where starts increased by 84% from 1,349 in 2013 to 2,480 last year

Bradford, where starts increased by 171% from 523 in 2013 to 1,417 last year

Selby, where starts increased by 296% from 279 in 2013 to 1,106 last year