Construction new work output slips 0.4% in November

Overall total output remained flat as a modest 0.6% increase in repair and maintenance work helped to offset the new work fall.

The fall in output was also attributed to a wetter-than-average November causing more difficult working conditions.

Returns for the office of National Statistics Monthly Business Survey for Construction and allied trades (MBS) suggested that more businesses are starting to raise concerns about client delaying or cancelling work than in previous months.

Over the last three months, construction output was up 0.3% from growth in new work (1.3%) as repair and maintenance saw a decrease (1.2% fall).