Persimmon blames labour and material costs for 10% drop in completions

Shortages of workers forced up pay and prices of key materials have rocketed since invasion of Ukraine, builder says

Persimmon, one of Britain's biggest housebuilders, said shortages of materials and labour contributed to a 10% drop in the number of homes built in the first half of the year.

The company completed 6,652 homes in the first six months of 2022, down from 7,406 a year earlier. It blamed further delays in the planning system, as well as material and labour shortages. Customer inquiry levels were healthy and cancellation rates low, Persimmon said.