Nearly 400 more new affordable homes were built across parts of Shropshire in the last year compared to the previous 12 months, new Government figures showed today.

The statistics were released by the Department for Communities and Local Government, which said the Government was taking “decisive” action to help maintain the supply of new homes despite the “most severe world recession in 50 years”.

The new statistics show that in the Telford & Wrekin area 40 affordable homes were built in 2007 to 2008 – and this increased again by 130 to 170 in the last financial year.

In south Shropshire the increase was also 130, as the figure rose from 30 to 160 over the same period, while in Oswestry the number increased by 30 from 20 to 50, and by 10 to 70 in the Bridgnorth area.

The Government said it was vital more affordable homes are built to help people struggling to make ends meet during the recessions.

Nationally high house prices and low wages have hampered people’s efforts to get their first step on the property ladder.

The figures show that a total of 55,770 additional affordable homes were supplied in England in 2008 to 2009 – an increase of four per cent from 53,480 additional affordable homes supplied in 2007 to 2008.

It is the highest number of new affordable homes provided in England since 1996 to 1997.

A total of 31,090 new affordable homes were made available for social rent in 2008 to 2009, while 24,680 homes were provided through other intermediate housing schemes including shared ownership and shared equity.

John Healey, Minister for Housing and Planning, said: “I welcome these figures which show that despite the recession, the supply of new affordable homes across England in 2008/09 was nearly 56,000, an increase on the previous year.

“This government has taken decisive action to help maintain the supply of new homes in the face of the most severe world recession in 50 years. And, at a time when private sector housing stocks dramatically declined, this government stepped in to maintain the supply of new homes, supporting construction firms to continue building the homes we need as well as safeguarding jobs.

“There is more to do to ensure we have the homes we need and I remain committed to making sure this happens. I have announced the first round of the largest council housing building programme for almost two decades with more to follow.”

By John Kirk