UK Construction Output Dips More than Expected

UK construction output fell 2.5% year-on-year in July 2026, accelerating from a 2.3% decline in the previous month and marking the ninth consecutive month of contraction. It was also the steepest decline since December 2025, underperforming market estimates of a 2.3% fall. New work slipped for a tenth straight month (-5.1% vs -5.9% in June), while growth in repair and maintenance eased to a seven-month low (1.0% vs 2.8%). On a monthly basis, construction activity edged up 0.1%, reversing a 0.1% decline in June and signaling the first increase in four months. Repair and maintenance activity rose 0.8%, while new work fell 0.4% for a fourth consecutive month. Over the three months to July, output declined 0.5%, ending four consecutive periods of growth, as both new work and repair and maintenance fell 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively.

UK construction output contracted 2.3% year-on-year in June 2026, deepening from a revised 2.0% decline in the prior month and marking the eighth consecutive month of contraction. Still, the fall was slightly milder than the 2.4% decline expected by markets. New work fell for a ninth straight month (-5.9% vs -6.5% in May), while growth in repair and maintenance eased to a six-month low (2.8% vs 4.6%). On a monthly basis, construction output edged down 0.1%, significantly less than the 0.8% decline in May, although it marked a third consecutive monthly drop. The softer decline reflected stagnant repair and maintenance activity, while new work fell 0.3%, extending its monthly contraction streak. Despite the weak June reading, output rose 0.3% over the three months to June, marking a fourth consecutive increase in the rolling measure. Growth was supported by both new work (0.4%) and repair and maintenance activity (0.2%).

UK construction output fell 1.8% year-on-year in May 2026, deepening from a 1.6% decline in the previous month and marking the seventh consecutive month of contraction. The drop was more severe than market expectations of a 1.1% decrease. New work dropped for an eighth straight month (-5.8% vs -5.5% in April), while growth in repair and maintenance eased to a five-month low (3.8% vs 3.9%). On a monthly basis, construction output was down 0.8%, far steeper than a 0.1% fall in April and pointing to the second successive month of drop. The weaker performance reflected a 2.1% decline in repair and maintenance activity even as new work edged up 0.2%. Despite the weak May reading, construction output rose 1.6% over the three months to May, indicating the third consecutive increase in the rolling three-month measure. Growth was supported by gains in both new work (1.1%) and repair and maintenance activity (2.1%).