According to the latest update from construction data provider Glenigan, the value of underlying starts was flat against the preceding months in this time.
Residential construction starts were up 1% quarter-to-quarter but are down 8% from 2023’s figures — however, within this, private housing construction activity was 1% higher than 2023.
At the same time non-residential starts were up 2% from the last quarter and 1% from the same point in 2023.
Activity was uneven from a regional perspective.
The East of England, South East and South West all recorded double digit growth in the third quarter with construction activity up 21%, 16% and 10% respectively.
Meanwhile, falls in project starts were recorded in Yorkshire, Humber and Wales. London’s activity was broadly level on a quarter-on-quarter basis but down 18% from 2023.
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To highlight the regional differences, construction starts rose by 28% in the West Midlands but fell by 15% in the East Midlands over the same period.
Commenting on these findings, Allan Wilen - economics director at Glenigan - said the recent announcements in the budget could further stimulate construction activity.
"The chancellor’s changes to the fiscal rules will release funds for investing in schools, health, infrastructure, industrial and social housing, providing extra work for the industry,” said Allan.
“Further, it will allow projects like the HS2 Old Oak Common to Euston extension and the TransPennine upgrade, which have been hanging in the balance over the last four months, to get off the ground in the next fiscal year.
“With more critical investment set to buoy the industry, it will be interesting to see how these policy and spending commitments play out in the coming months, and how they affect our December, January and February indexes.”
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