ONS Construction Output Report Summary - May 2025
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) Construction Output Report explores the short-term measures of output by the construction industry in March 2025. This article provides a summary of the key findings identified regarding the performance trends and sectoral challenges shaping the construction industry.
Monthly Performance Analysis
In March 2o25, UK construction output showed a 0.5% increase in volume terms, following a downwardly revised increase of 0.2% in February 2025 and an unrevised 0.3% decrease in January 2025. This increase can be attributed to two key areas, as new work grew by 0.6%, and repair and maintenance increased by 0.4%.
A closer look at the sectoral level reveals that five of the nine construction sectors grew during this period. The sectors contributing most to this increase were private housing and infrastructure new work. Private housing grew by 2.3%, and infrastructure new work increased by 2.5%.
Quarterly Trends
Construction output is estimated to have shown no growth (0.0%) in Quarter 1 (January to March) 2025 compared to the previous Quarter (October to December 2024). In this period, new work increased by 0.9%, while repair and maintenance decreased by 1.2%.
Total construction new orders grew by 26.6% (£2,447 million) in Quarter 1 2025 compared to Quarter 4 2024. This quarterly increase was attributed to infrastructure new work and private industrial new work.
In summary, the UK construction industry experienced a 0.5% increase in output during March 2025, building on a 0.2% rise in February and recovering from a 0.3% decline in January. Growth was primarily driven by new work, which rose by 0.6%, and repair and maintenance, which increased by 0.4%. Key contributors included private housing new work (up 2.3%) and infrastructure new work (up 2.5%). Despite this monthly growth, overall construction output remained flat (0.0%) in Quarter 1 2025, with new work increasing by 0.9% but countered by a 1.2% fall in repair and maintenance. However, a positive outlook is reflected in the 26.6% rise in new construction orders, signalling potential momentum in the months ahead.
Source: Construction output in Great Britain – Office for National Statistics
