Construction output continued to recover following a relatively weak start to the year, increasing by 2.1% from July to Sept.
This follows a fall of 1.6% in the first quarter from January to March and a sluggish increase of 0.8% in the second quarter of 2018
The third quarter uplift was driven by all new work, which increased by 2.8%, and repair and maintenance which increased by 1.0%.
In cash terms construction output rose by £872m on the previous quarter private housing new work being the engine of growth with a £507m increase.
Non-housing repair and maintenance and infrastructure, increased by £230m and £191m respectively.
Private industrial new work dipped by £23m.
Clive Docwra, managing director of construction consulting and design agency McBains, said: “
“However, issues such as Brexit and the high cost of imported materials are still hanging over the sector and holding back key investment decisions.
“Recruitment is also a growing issue, with wages of scarce skilled tradespeople continuing to rise and the future status of EU-workers in the UK still unclear beyond March 2019.”
from Construction Enquirer https://ift.tt/2QvxxBb