Private sector housing starts in England surged in the first quarter of 2011, reaching 23,580 according to the latest government figures. The figure was 16% up on the same period in 2010 and 24% up on the previous quarter. Total starts hit 29,140, 15% up year on year. <br> <br> Starts in the quarter, however, remain 20,000 fewer than the first quarter of 2007.<br> <br> English private sector completions reached 22,050 in the quarter, up from 20,430 last year and 23% higher than the previous quarter with completions overall also up 12% year on year. <br> <br> “These figures are welcome,” said housing minister Grant Shapps, “but they are only the start of the story. I am determined that there should be no slowing down on the road to recovery.”<br> <br>