Reaction to ONS construction industry output figures for December

The Vinden Partnership recognises improved housebuilding performance as factor in rise in construction output

A rise in new work led to an increase in construction output in December according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics.

Construction output increased by 1.8% in comparison November’s figures and was up 0.6% on the same period a year ago.

New housing work was one of the key drivers behind the rise in new work, echoing the results of other recent construction industry surveys.

Private commercial work rose by 5.2% in December but the infrastructure sub-sector saw output decline for the eleventh consecutive month.

Martin Bennett, a Regional Director of The Vinden Partnership – a leading multi-disciplinary consultant company to the built environment said: “The figures for December show that the construction industry enjoyed a strong end to 2016.

“These results are in line with other construction industry surveys we have seen recently, which were followed by a slight drop off in January. I think we can expect the ONS figures to follow a very similar pattern.

“One of the constants has been the improved performance of housebuilding. The government’s housing white paper should add further momentum to the sector.

“The concern still remains over the impact of the weaker pound on input costs and how long the construction industry can absorb these increases.”

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