ONS Construction Output in Great Britain: Construction Output Fell by a Record 35.0% in Q2 2020

The main points are:

• Monthly construction output grew by a record 23.5% in June 2020, substantially higher than the previous record monthly growth of 7.6% in May 2020; despite this strong monthly growth, construction output in June 2020 remains comparatively low at 24.8% below the February 2020 level, which was before the full impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
• Quarterly construction output fell by a record 35.0% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2020 compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2020; this was driven by record falls of 35.2% in new work and 34.7% in repair and maintenance.
• The decrease in new work (35.2%) in Quarter 2 2020 was because of record quarterly falls in almost every new work sector; the largest contributor was private new housing, which fell by 51.2% in Quarter 2 2020 compared with Quarter 1 2020.

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• The decrease in repair and maintenance (34.7%) in Quarter 2 2020 was because of record falls in all repair and maintenance sectors; the largest contributor was private housing repair and maintenance, which fell by 46.5% in Quarter 2 2020 compared with Quarter 1 2020.
• New orders decreased by a record 51.1% in Quarter 2 2020 compared with Quarter 1 2020; this decrease was because of record falls in both all other work and new housing, which declined by 51.9% and 49.0% respectively.
• The value of New orders in Quarter 2 2020 was £6,173 million; this is the lowest level of new orders since records began in Quarter 1 1964.
• Today’s release sees the publication of Construction Output Price Indices data as part of the quarterly Construction output in Great Britain bulletin for the first time; the annual rate of construction output price growth was flat (0.0%) in June 2020, which was the lowest rate of growth since records began in 2015.

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