Construction output continued its recent decline with its biggest month-on-year fall in five years; the latest figures from the ONS (Office of National Statistics) have shown.
Output continued its recent three-month on three-month decline, falling by 0.8% in February. This was driven predominantly by a continued decline in repair and maintenance work, which fell by 2.6% in the same month; construction output also declined by 1.6% month-on-month, stemming from a 9.4% decrease in new infrastructure work.
In comparison to February 2017, construction output fell 3% – the biggest month-on-year fall since March 2013.
It said the adverse weather conditions across Great Britain could have potentially contributed to the decline in construction output, although it is difficult to quantify the exact impact on the industry.
Allan Callaghan, Managing Director of Cruden Building said:
“While I’m glad to report that Cruden is bucking market trends and performing strongly, it’s true to say that right now is a tough time for construction.
“With less than a year to go until Brexit, the twin pressures of rising material costs and a decreasing workforce are only being exacerbated. Although Cruden and many others in the Scottish construction industry have been working to plug the current skills gaps for some time, the spectre of Brexit is casting a shadow of uncertainty over what it will mean for materials costs and the ability to retain skilled labour.
“We need decisive action from Government to secure trade and labour agreements that will support the construction industry in delivering on Scotland’s housebuilding and wider infrastructure targets.”
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