Private housing starts leapt 73% between April and June, according to Communities and Local Government (CLG) figures on new housing in England. The number of starts was still 12% lower than in the June quarter 2008, but this compares to a 53% fall between the March 2008 quarter and March 2009 quarter. Housing completions climbed 24% to an estimated 39,320, up 7% on the June quarter 2008. However, annual housing start figures continued to decline, down 41% against the 12 months to June 2008 and totalling 87,190. But HBF director of economic affairs John Stewart commented: “The figures provide further support for the more positive housing market reports we have seen in recent weeks, and show that home building industry confidence is gradually improving.” <br>