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Barratt has reported a 21% jump in forward sales in a first quarter trading update to the City.

In the 19-week period between 1 July and 8 November, forward sales including joint ventures were up to 拢2.5bn, equating to 11,033 plots, compared to 拢2.1bn and 9,734 plots for the same period the previous year.

Net private reservations per week increased by 12.5% to 261, compared to 232 in 2014.

The housebuilder also launched 49 new developments in the period, in line with expectations, and said it expects to see 鈥渃ontrolled growth in site numbers鈥� in 2016.

Barratt said it has also recruited 250 new graduates, trainees and apprentices for 2016 to 鈥渁ddress the need for skilled labour.鈥�

David Thomas, the firm鈥檚 chief executive, said: 鈥淎gainst the backdrop of a significant structural shortage of new homes in Britain, we have made a strong start to the year.

鈥淥perationally the business is performing well with strong sales, good control of input costs and continued land investment.

鈥淥ur targeted recruitment programme has delivered a further 250 new apprentices, graduates and trainees to the business.

鈥淲ith our disciplined strategy and focus on achieving efficiencies across the business, we are on track to deliver further good progress in FY16.鈥�