Construction output in the UK has fallen over the month of September, new figures have revealed.

According to the latest ONS statistics, output increased by 0.6% in Q3 (July-September 2019) but was followed by a decrease of 0.2% in September.

Clive Docwra, Managing Director of leading construction consulting and design agency McBains, said: "These latest figures reflect the uncertainty the sector is currently experiencing.

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"They show an increase in new work over July to September, and in particular higher than expected increases in housing, commercial and industrial new work, but a slowdown in September itself.

"We expect this slowdown to continue over the next few months, especially given last month's confirmation of a further delay in Brexit. 

"Business and investors hate uncertainty, so the continuing saga of if and when the UK leaves the EU, plus the added unpredictability of the general election, means there will be a continued reluctance to commit funding to new projects.

"We also need to see the major parties make strong policy commitments to boost the housebuilding programme, which is failing to deliver the number of homes required to meet the housing shortage."

(CM/JG)