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UK construction industry in strong position

Published by , Assistant Editor
World Cement,


According to the latest report from Barbour ABI, the construction industry remained in a strong position during April. Despite growing fears of a lacklustre second quarter for the UK economy, £6.1 billion worth of contracts were awarded, led by a 26% monthly spike in contract value from the residential sector.

According to the May edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, across April £2.1 billion worth of projects were awarded in the residential sector, up from £1.4 billion in January, demonstrating the continued strength of the sector.67% of the value came from private housing, which is to be expected considering the positive fortunes that major house-builders such as Barratt Homes, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey are currently experiencing.

Infrastructure also played a key role in April, as the contract value for the sector increased by 35% compared to April 2015. A strong pipeline of renewable energy, including two major wind farms, significantly boosted the figures, alongside a £500 million nuclear decommissioning project in Sellafield, Cumbria.

Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “Currently the UK has one of the lowest rates of new build housing worldwide in developed countries and with the various government incentive schemes in effect, it’s no surprise to see residential contracts continue to grow, boosting the construction industry as a whole.”

“Even after a fairly subdued start to the year for construction output, we have not seen any drop off in construction contract award figures as of yet, despite the various economic headwinds facing the economy. As the referendum vote draws closer, it will be interesting to see what kind of impact, if any, it will have on the industry. Residential and infrastructure construction does not however seem to be slowing down any time soon with demand for housing, renewable energy and major infrastructure projects likely to continue throughout 2016.”


Adapted from press release by

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/23052016/uk-construction-industry-in-strong-position-137/

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