Let’s hope that bankers took note of the words of Alistair Darling, when he demanded more mortgage availability. The lack of funds available for buy-to-let and the private rented sector threatens to contract this vital supply of accommodation.

NHBC figures show a huge 95% increase in the number of new houses being started, in June this year in comparison with December 2008. The difficulty is that these figures are in comparison with historically low figures, and do not always give a true impression of the challenges faced by many of the nations house builders.

Some recent reports have suggested that the UK construction industry could be back up to full strength in as little as three years. We must ask the question, as the demand for projects for the Olympics and other major projects drain supply, are we training enough new apprentices and property professionals?