In Great Britain, the construction industry output volume in non-seasonally adjusted, constant (2005) prices is estimated to have decreased 7.9 percent in January this year compared to the same month of 2012, according to a report released by the UK-based Office for National Statistics (ONS). The total volume of construction output fell by 6.3 percent compared to December 2012, mainly due to a 7.9 percent decrease in new work.
In particular, comparing the three months from November 2012 to January 2013 with the same period one year earlier, the volume of construction output decreased by 10.2 percent, while new work decreased by 12.7 percent and new public housing decreased by 20.4 percent.
Commenting on the figures, UK-based Construction Products Association's (CPA) economics director Noble Francis said, "Although poor weather during January undoubtedly exacerbated conditions, the construction output figures illustrate the current state of the industry, where output is now 17 percent lower than it was just five years ago. Furthermore, these latest figures clearly indicate that construction output is likely to fall in Q1, worsening conditions for the wider economy."
