UK Construction Output Unexpectedly Falls

UK construction output declined 1.1% year-on-year in November 2025, swinging from a 0.9% increase in the previous month and missing market estimates of a 0.1% rise. The latest reading also marked the first yearly drop since October 2024, reflecting a fall in new work (-2.2% vs 0.8% in October) and a slowdown in repair and maintenance activity (0.4% vs 0.9%). On a monthly basis, construction output fell 1.3%, following a 1.2% drop in October, as both new work (-1.9%) and repair and maintenance (-0.4%) declined. Over the three months to November, total construction output shrank 1.1%, the largest fall since March 2023, with new work, and repair and maintenance falling by 1.0% and 1.1%, respectively.

UK construction output increased 0.9% year-on-year in October 2025, easing from 1.3% in the previous month and missing market expectations of 1.6%. Although it marked the 15th straight month of expansion, it was the slowest pace since January. Growth in new work moderated (1.9% vs 2.5% in September), while repair and maintenance activity continued to drop (-0.6% vs -0.5%). On a monthly basis, construction output fell 0.6%, reversing a 0.2% gain in September, as both new work (-0.7%) and repair and maintenance (-0.6%) declined. Over the three months to October, total construction output edged down 0.3%, with repair and maintenance dipping 0.1% while new work posted a slight 0.1% rise.

UK construction output rose 1.3% year-on-year in September 2025, accelerating from a marginally revised 1.1% growth in the previous month and topping market expectations of 1.2%. It marked the 14th consecutive monthly increase, driven by new work, which expanded at the fastest pace in four months (2.5% vs 1.3% in August). Meanwhile, repair and maintenance fell for the first time since May (-0.5% vs 0.7%). On a monthly basis, construction output rose 0.2%, reversing a revised 0.5% decline in August, supported entirely by new work (0.7%) as repair and maintenance dropped (-0.5%). For Q3 2025, total construction output edged up 0.1% quarter-on-quarter, with new work down slightly (-0.2%) but repair and maintenance rising 0.6%.