GlobalData: UK construction output declines as lockdown measures take a toll on the sector
Published by Emily Thomas,
Deputy Editor
World Cement,
UK construction industry growth 2020 estimates have been revised down to –7%, according to GlobalData, but a further downgrade of the forecast will likely be given due to the country’s sharp fall in April.
Moustafa Ali, Economist at GlobalData, comments: “UK construction output fell dramatically in April, falling by 40% month on-month and by 44% year-on-year according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Driven by a 41% decrease in new works and a 38% decrease in repair and maintenance, the fall in construction output reflects the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK, which subsequently forced many construction firms to temporarily halt works.”
However, with the reopening of sites in May and June there is likely to be fast sequential monthly growth in the next few months, given the historically low starting base in April.
Ali continues: “The largest falls came in the public housing sector which fell by 67%, private housing fell by 59% and private housing repair, maintenance and improvements fell by 54% compared to March 2020, according to ONS. The lowest falls in construction output came in public non-housing works primarily in health and education, which fell only by 14%. This was likely due to new hospitals and health centres being in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/19062020/globaldata-uk-construction-output-declines-as-lockdown-measures-take-a-toll-on-the-sector/
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