UK housebuilder unveils profit boost

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey today said it returned to profit over the first six months of this year, despite selling fewer houses in the period.

The group, which also trades as George Wimpey and Bryant Homes, has benefited from the tight control of costs and more efficient building practices, even though its average selling price has remained at £168,000 and it sold 4,707 houses against 4,804 a year earlier.