Construction Output Continues To Slump

According to recent statisitcs, while other industry sectors managed to turn previous declines in output into growth, construction output continued to slump 4.7 per cent in the first three months of 2011. This compounds a fall of 2.3 per cent in the final three months of 2010.

National Federation of Builders’ chief executive Julia Evans said: “The industry has traditionally relied on the public sector for around 40 per cent of its work. Public money is now in short supply. Government measures such as FirstBuy Direct for first-time buyers and Build Now, Pay Later for housebuilders only tinker around the edges of the problem of access to finance. Until this fundamental issue is addressed, there is little prospect of a housing market recovery or of the private sector helping to build us out of this slump.”

The NFB is one of the UK’s longest established trade federations for small to medium-sized (SME) builders, contractors and house builders across England and Wales. It was created 150 years ago to represent the building profession and to help create the conditions for its members to thrive and contribute to the economic success of the UK. Its members range from the sole trader to large, multi-million pound construction companies, with turnover ranging from below £500k to £500m plus. The NFB provides advice, training and business solutions to ensure members stay up to date.

The NFB campaigns on the issues that impact the construction industry such as procurement, utilities, sustainability and funding. It represents the industry at government and industry forums and is an active media commentator and policy influencer.