CIF insists 18,000 homes built this year

The construction industry has insisted it will build 18,000 homes this year, according to its industry body.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) said 20,000 new homes will be built in 2018, as the industry ramps up from the 12,666 units it said were built in 2015.

It comes amid increasing concerns from analysts that the Government will need to encourage the building of many more private and social housing for any progress to be made in easing the crisis.