Latest government statistics released today show 45,000 homes were completed in the period – a 185% increase on the previous quarter.

Starts also more than doubled with an 111% increase to 35,710.

The government said: “Today’s figures reflect the housing and construction industry’s resilience and measures they have taken to keep building sites open, in line with public health advice.”

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick added: “We extended planning permission deadlines and flexible working hours on sites so that builders, architects and developers have been able to continue working, while following public health advice.

“In turn this has protected millions of jobs, from builders, through to estate agents and carpenters.

“The housing industry is key to our economic recovery, which is why we’re investing £12 billion in affordable housing, providing £400 million to build more homes on brownfield land, and investing £7.1 billion for a new National Home Building Fund over the next four years, unlocking up to 860,000 homes.”