Housing minister Keith Hill has cautiously welcomed the latest ODPM housebuilding figures for England, which show a 10% increase for starts and 8% rise in completions during the last quarter of 2003. “The continuing upward trend in starts and completions in England must be welcomed,” said Hill. “In particular a continued increase in houses completed across the South East, London and the East show we are moving towards a better balance between demand and supply. "Nevertheless while starts have increased in the South East, the fact that they have levelled more recently in the East and remained flat overall in London, shows a need for continued focus on delivery."