Site Labour Rates Hit Record High as Cost Inflation Returns Labour rates hit a new high last month, reaching £1,048 per week for self-employed tradespeople. Latest figures from the industry’s biggest payroll provider show average earnings for self-employed tradespeople increased 1.9% to £1,044 per week during October. The return of inflationary pressure in the labour […]

Construction to grow 2.5% next year Construction forecasters are expecting the industry to rebound next year after a tough 18 months. Economists at Construction Products Association said cautious optimism is returning to the industry, led by an improving outlook for private housing and hopes for infrastructure spending growth next year. Overall, total construction output is […]

Construction Activity Rises For Second Month Monthly construction output grew by 0.5% in June lifted by rises in both new work (0.9%), and repair and maintenance (0.1%). While growth in June was weaker than the 1.7% rebound seen in May, the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show seven out of the nine […]

Labour plans to target action on housebuilding from ‘day one’ The Labour Party wants to implement planning reforms in an effort to supercharge housebuilding. In an interview with The Times, party leader Kier Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said they would “hit the ground running” and initiate a flurry of housebuilding initiatives from “day […]

Construction back in growth as output rises 1.1% in January Construction enjoyed a surprise return to growth at the start of 2024 with monthly construction output in January rising 1.1% in volume terms. The uplift follows three consecutive monthly falls, with green shoots of growth fed by increases in both new work (1.1%) and repair […]

Construction buyers see happier times ahead Optimism levels among construction buyers have hit their highest levels in two years. Results from the bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index in January showed a strong improvement in business activity expectations as the main index registered 48.8 – up from 46.8 in December and the highest […]

Construction output slides for second month running Construction output fell 0.5% in volume terms in August in a second consecutive monthly fall. With the wider UK economy bumping along at 2.0% growth, construction has now become a drag on growth rather than a driver. The decreases in monthly output came solely from a decrease in […]

First sign of price falls for construction products The first price drops for construction materials are starting to appear as supply returns to pre-covid levels and demand drops as the housing market continues to stagnate. The latest update from Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group said: “The supply of most building materials returned to […]

Construction output jumps after three-month decline Following three consecutive months of declines, construction output increased 1.6% in June. A 2% rise in new work led the recovery, with repair and maintenance showing a 1.1% increase. The warm weather appears to have contributed to the increase in output across sectors, according to anecdotal evidence from monthly […]

Construction Output Slipped 0.6% in April Construction output declined by 0.6% in April after two successive months of growth. The fall was led by a 1% drop in new work, mainly from private housing new work, down 3% and commercial down 1.8% Compared with the same month last year all new housing is now down […]

Construction output rebounds 2.4% in February Construction output returned to strong growth in February after a washout in January due to heavy rain. Monthly construction output is estimated to have increased 2.4% in volume terms following the 1.7% fall in January, with February ranking as the highest monthly value in level terms (£15.6 bn) since […]

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) have recently released their Annual Mineral Planning Survey (AMPS) for 2022. It highlights that demand for construction aggregates has outstripped new permitted reserves for ten years running, placing unprecedented pressure on future availability. Using data from MPA members, the reports shows a chronic failure to replenish rock, sand and gravel […]