UK construction industry output fell 2.1% in May

The ONS also reported that all new work, as well as repair and maintenance (R & M) work decreased too, falling by 2.6% and 1.4% respectively. 

Infrastructure-related work was the only area of new work which did not drop with private new housing the main contributor to the decrease. 

The data also showed that output in the construction industry fell by 1.9%, compared with May last year.

The figures reflect the downturn registered by the recent Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchase Managers’ Index (PMI), which showed that construction output in the UK fell in June at its fastest pace since 2009.  Markit said that widespread delays to investment decisions and housing market jitters had seen the construction sector suffer its worst month for seven years. 

The ONS construction output estimates are produced from a monthly survey of 8000 businesses in Great Britain and provide a short-term indicator of construction output by the private sector and public corporations within the country.