Construction sector output rises in September, says ONS

Monthly construction output is estimated to have increased 0.4% in volume terms in September, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. 

This came solely from an increase in repair and maintenance (2.1%), partially offset by a decrease in new work - 0.8% fall.

Anecdotal evidence received from returns for the Monthly Business Survey for Construction and Allied Trades (MBS) suggested a positive effect of above-average temperatures increasing output. 

According to the Met Office, September was the joint hottest September on record for England and Wales.

At the sector level, three out of the nine sectors saw a rise in September, with the main contributor to the monthly increase seen in private housing repair and maintenance, which increased 3.0%.

Across the third quarter of the year construction output increased 0.1%  from July to September compared with the second quarter. This came solely from growth in September after two months of falls; the quarterly increase was because of repair and maintenance (0.7%), while new work saw a decrease of 0.3%.

Total construction new orders increased 3.9% (£393m) in Q3 compared with Q2; this quarterly rise came mainly from public other new orders and infrastructure new orders, which increased 23.7% (£265m) and 14.3% (204m), respectively.

The annual rate of construction output price growth was 3.9% in the 12 months to September 2023; this has slowed from the record annual price growth in May 2022 (10.4%).