Construction output fell 2.0% in April
2021, according to the latest ONS figures, following a particularly strong
increase in March (5.8%).
Output now stands slightly above its
pre-pandemic February 2020 level; new work continues to be subdued but the
level of repair and maintenance is stronger.
Monthly construction fell by 2.0% in
April 2021 because of declines in both new work (2.9%) and repair and
maintenance (0.6%).
The level of construction output in
April 2021 remains 0.3% above the February 2020 pre-pandemic level despite the
monthly fall; while new work was 3.4% below the February 2020 level, repair and
maintenance work remains 7.1% above the February 2020 level. In contrast to the
monthly fall, construction output grew by 5.1% in the three months to April
2021 compared with the previous three-month period, because of a 5.2% increase
in new work and 4.9% increase in repair and maintenance.
The increase in new work (5.2%) in the
three months to April 2021 was because of growth in all new work sectors apart
from private industrial, which fell by 3.6%; the largest contributor to this
growth was private commercial new work, which grew by 7.4%. The increase in
repair and maintenance (4.9%) in the three months to April 2021 was because of
growth in non-housing and private housing repair and maintenance, which grew by
6.2% and 6.6% respectively.
Work for builders in the repair,
maintenance and improvement sector remains healthy with a 5% increase in the
three months to April 2021, but the national shortage of construction materials
risks undermining builders’ ability to build, says the Federation of Master
Builders.
Brian
Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “That construction
output in April was 0.3% above its pre-pandemic levels points to encouraging
signs for the industry’s recovery. However, it’s clear that the shortage of
construction materials, and rising prices, are impacting small builders most
severely and threatens many businesses’ survival as we emerge from lockdown.
“The latest FMB State of Trade data that
shows 93% of builders reported material price increases in Q1 of this year.
Against the backdrop of high levels of inquiries for building work, it’s
imperative that smaller businesses have the same access to materials as the
larger firms during these difficult times.”
