<b></b><p></p><p>Only Becks and Rio, it seems, can stop the upward surge in the housing market. With latest NHBC figures showing a 16% year on year rise in starts for the first four months of the year and the HBF survey continuing to reflect the views of a bunch of rather happy housebuilders, you wonder when it will all stop.</p><p>Housebuilders were apparently given a breather in June when England&amp;’s surprisingly long stay in Japan prompted a sharp slow down in visitors and reservations. </p><p>But no doubt the day after the Brazil game reluctant football fans the length and breadth of the country were dragged out by their partners to look for that new house that they were promised in a moment of weakness - probably just after the Argentina game.</p><p>But a few extra starts will not solve the problem of the UK&amp;’s housing shortage. </p><p>So it was good to see Lord Rooker begin his stint as housing minister with a feisty speech condemning the &amp;“disgraceful&amp;” level of housing starts in the UK (see New minister blasts level of housing completions below). </p><p>Rooker is a blunt Brummie, and while words alone will not solve the crisis, his sense of social responsibility could …