Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

More huge increases in pre-tax profits.

Housebuilders of all sizes are making spectacular profits - again.

Taylor Wimpey half-year pre-tax profit jumped nearly 50% to over £268million.

It will return £50million to shareholders this year and £200million next year.

The housebuilder is following Berkeley Homes and Persimmon which are returning £1.7billion and £1.9billion respectively over ten years.

It would seem that people who complain about the 'excessive' amount of money that local authorities take from developers in the form of Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions should be grateful that the levels are not higher.