Construction statistics continue steady progress

The longer-term fortunes of the construction industry continue to improve, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. Headline figures are that the total value of construction output rose by 4% from the second quarter of 2010 to the third quarter and the total volume of construction output in the third quarter of 2010 was 8.6% higher than the same quarter in 2009. Year-on-year growth (Q4 2008 to Q3 2009 compared with Q4 2009 to Q3 2010) was 10.2%.

In more detail, all new work in Q3 of 2010 was up by 20.5% over Q3 2009, but repair and maintenance work fell by 9.6%.

The volume of new work in the public non-housing sector (excluding infrastructure) was 5% higher in Q3 2010 compared with the previous quarter and 32% higher than Q3 2009. It was also the highest output since records began in 1955. New work in this sector has been increasing for the last 13 quarters.

New private non-housing work continues to recover.

The volume of new private commercial output in Q3 2010 was 7% higher than the previous quarter and also Q3 2009.

The volume of new construction work in the private industrial sector in Q3 2010 was 15% higher than the previous quarter and 38% higher than Q3 2009, which was the lowest output in this sector since records began in 1955.

New housing work also grew. Output in Q3 2010 was 4% higher than the previous quarter and 28.2% higher than Q3 2009.

New private housing output in Q3 of 2010 was 23% higher than the same quarter in 2009.

The figures for the public housing sector are a 7% rise from Q2 2010 to Q3 and 48% compared with Q3 2009. New work in this sector has been increasing for the last six quarters.