The figures have been generally weak for some time - key points are:
- The total volume of construction output in February 2013 was 7.0% lower than in February 2012
Comparing the three months from December 2012 to February 2013 with the same three months one year earlier, the volume of construction output decreased by 8.9%.(this is the same as the Jan figures) - Over the same period estimates of the volume of infrastructure work decreased by 0.6%
- Comparing February 2013 with January 2013 the volume of construction output increased by 5.5% with rises in nearly all sectors - infrastructure increased by 12.5%. However, the February growth, while appearing strong is due to the comparison with the very low volume of output in January.
Commenting on the ONS construction output figures published this morning, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Director General, Nick Baveystock, said: “The on-going weakness in infrastructure output is concerning, especially given Government’s commitment to infrastructure acting as a catalyst for economic recovery and job creation. The impact of the spending cuts made in 2010 now appear to be feeding down and becoming apparent, notably reducing activity on site.
“Government is rightly starting to think more strategically about how it delivers UK infrastructure and how it can be funded. However with a tough Spending Review on the immediate horizon, it must act with caution before inflicting further cuts on a sector that is such an important facilitator of growth, both short and long term.”
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