When it said recently it expected the UK economy to shrink slightly in the first quarter of 2012, I did wonder whether the downbeat prediction would turn out to be a counter-indicator - a sign that we had definitely avoided a double dip.

BBC: Britain's zig-zag economy

Although the housing market has stabilized over the last half a year, the chorus calling for a double dip in housing is growing louder as data such as this runs counter to a sustainable recovery thesis.

FORBES: Housing Starts Stumble After Stimulus