New figures have revealed the UK's construction output declined by 1.2% in May.

The latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) data states output fell month-on-month, driven by a 4% decline in infrastructure work, as well as a 1.4% fall in new work and a 0.7% decline for repair and maintenance work.

In addition, month-on-year output fell by 0.3% in may, the first consecutive month-on-year decrease in output since May 2013.

Output figures for April 2017 have now been revised up 0.5% from -1.6% to -1.1%.

-- Advertisement --

Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of international construction and property consultancy McBains Cooper, said the figures are "extremely unwelcome news for an increasingly fragile looking construction industry".

"The new government needs to ensure that housebuilding is at the top of its agenda, so at least there were encouraging signs this week with the proposals from Communities Secretary Sajid Javid for local authorities of wealthier areas to have their housebuilding targets reviewed to help alleviate the housing shortage," he said.

"But there is still much to be done elsewhere in the industry if we are to succeed, including streamlining existing planning laws,  greater investment in public projects, and ensuring that the industry has enough skilled labour to meet housebuilding targets – which won't happen if the government clamps down on the use of skilled migrant workers from abroad."

(LM)