Persimmon has unveiled plans to build over 80,000 new homes across the UK in the next five years.

The announcement, which comes day after pro-house building policies made in the Autumn Statement, will see the firm create 1,000 new jobs.

Since 2012, Persimmon has increased the number of homes completed each year by nearly 50 per cent. This year it has made further progress, starting work on 250 new developments across England, Wales and Scotland.

Persimmon’s group CEO, Jeff Fairburn, said: “Home ownership continues to be an aspiration for the majority of British people and these latest initiatives announced by the Chancellor should help that dream become a reality for many more people.

“Persimmon prides itself on building homes that people can afford to buy in quality locations. Most of our buyers are looking to stay in their local area and this is exactly what we deliver.

“Now is a great time to buy, with lenders increasing the number of mortgage products available. The new schemes, which include Help to Buy Shared Ownership, London Help to Buy and the Starter Home initiative will all help even more people into home ownership.”

Persimmon has opened two new regional businesses in 2015 – Durham and central Birmingham and plans to open a further two businesses in 2016 – Cornwall and Perth.

Mr Fairburn said that to help the business meet demand, the company had increased its apprenticeship intake and had also introduced new schemes such as Combat to Construction and Upskill to Construction.

He added: “We are fortunate to have a committed and very experienced team at Persimmon. We have taken on 140 ex-service personnel this year in addition to 200 young apprentices. In 2016 we will be turning our attention to people who feel they missed out on a traditional apprenticeship and will be offering fully-paid apprenticeships to more mature workers through our Upskill to Construction programme.”