Released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in December the latest output figures for the construction industry saw a growth in output of 5.3% in October. The growth was driven by a 5.1% increase in new work combined with a 5.6% growth in repair and maintenance.
When comparing quarter 3 with the same quarter a year ago new orders have shown a growth of 17.8%, an increase of almost £2 billion. The year on year rise in new orders was due to a £1.2 billion (41.6%) increase in new housing and a £600 million (21.3%) increase in private commercial other new work. The only sub-sector to show negative growth over this period was public other new work, which is estimated to have fallen 3.9%.
In the three months from August to October 2013, construction output has increased by 2.5% in new work and 2.1% in repair and maintenance, when compared with the three previous months May to July. Within all the new works sectors, private industrial fell 5.8% in October 2013 when compared with September 2013 and is now estimated to be at its lowest level since January 2010, however new orders for private industrial show an increase of 31.8% for planned projects.
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