The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) Construction Output data provides an overview of industry performance for the three months to April 2026. The figures indicate that construction activity continued to strengthen during the period, supported largely by repair and maintenance work, while new work remained comparatively subdued. This marks a second consecutive quarter of growth for the sector following a challenging period throughout much of 2025.

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Monthly Performance Analysis

Construction output increased by 0.1% in April 2026, extending the positive momentum seen in previous months. This follows growth of 1.5% in March and 0.5% in February, meaning the sector has now recorded three consecutive monthly increases.

The modest rise in April was driven entirely by repair and maintenance activity, which grew by 0.6% over the month. New work moved in the opposite direction, declining by 0.3%, suggesting that ongoing upkeep and refurbishment projects continue to provide greater support to output than the delivery of new developments.

Quarterly Trends

Over the three months to April 2026, total construction output increased by 1.6% compared with the previous three-month period. This represents the second consecutive rise in the quarterly series and points to improving activity levels across the industry.

Repair and maintenance remained the key source of growth, expanding by 3.4% during the quarter. New work also returned to positive territory, albeit more modestly, increasing by 0.3%.

Six of the nine construction sectors recorded growth during the period. The strongest contribution came from non-housing repair and maintenance, which rose by 3.5%, highlighting continued investment in the upkeep and improvement of existing buildings and infrastructure.

Sector Outlook

While recent growth is encouraging, the latest figures suggest that the recovery remains uneven. Repair and maintenance continues to outperform new work, indicating that businesses and property owners may still be prioritising upgrades and essential works over major new projects.

Nevertheless, two consecutive quarters of growth and three successive monthly increases provide evidence that the sector is gaining momentum as it moves further into 2026.

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Construction output continued to improve in the three months to April 2026, supported primarily by strong repair and maintenance activity. Although growth in new work remains limited, the sector has now achieved two consecutive quarters of expansion, signalling a more positive trend after a prolonged period of weakness.

Source: Construction output in Great Britain – Office for National Statistics (ONS)