Ad
Friday, October 3, 2025
14.4 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  U.K. Edition

Construction starts slump as housing confidence falters

- Advertisement -

The UK construction industry is facing renewed decline, according to the latest Glenigan Construction Index.

The report, which reviews project starts in the three months leading up to the end of September 2025, shows that overall activity has fallen sharply, reversing gains seen earlier in the year.

Work starting on projects worth less than £100m – regarded as the industry’s “underlying” activity – dropped 16% compared with the previous three months, and remained 15% down on the same period in 2024.

The residential building sector was hit hardest, with starts falling by more than a quarter compared to the previous quarter and down 24% from last year. Non-residential work also declined, dropping 9% compared to the preceding three months and 5% year-over-year.

There were some areas of growth. Office projects rose by almost a third on the previous quarter and more than doubled on the year. Notable schemes included a £86m revamp of Bush House, the former headquarters of the BBC World Service, and a £59m retrofit of 30 Finsbury Square in the City of London.

However, Glenigan’s economic director Allan Wilen said these gains were outweighed by sharp falls in other areas, including health and education.

He warned that residential work in particular was being held back by weak buyer confidence and delays linked to Building Safety Regulator approvals.

“Encouraging signs in the middle of the year have once more given way to further decline,” he said, adding that the industry would be looking to the government’s autumn budget for support.

- Advertisement -

Popular Categories

Latest Magazine

Most Read This Week

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Scaffolders voted UK’s toughest trade

Scaffolders have been crowned the UK’s toughest trade by...

AK Scaffolding to represent UK at Las Vegas scaffold competition

AK Scaffolding will represent the UK at the 2026...

Company fined after worker dies in six-foot scaffold fall

A Lancashire sign-fitting company and its director have been...

Scaffolders urged to check skin for melanoma signs

Campaign uses striking imagery to promote early detection among...

Related Articles

UK Construction Output Falls 0.2%

According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK's construction industry saw a 0.2% output decline in January 2025, marking the second consecutive monthly fall. The dip, which follows...
- Advertisements -

Latest Topics

Storm Amy set to hit UK with severe winds and rain

The UK is bracing for Storm Amy, the first...

Ethiopia church scaffolding collapse kills at least 30

At least 30 people have died and more than...

Doka tackles extreme Alpine conditions to build Europe’s energy future

Specialist formwork company Doka is playing a crucial role...

Construction leader appointed as new Build UK chair

The chief executive of John Sisk & Son will...
- Advertisement -