Industry still suffering under supply chain, inflation and cost of living
Materials inflation, now running at at 25%, supply chain issues, pandemic issues and Ukraine are all contributing to continued uncertainty in the industry, according to the latest monthly Snap Analysis from Barbour ABI.
Chief Economist...
Shortage of subbies adds to construction gloom as order books dip towards lockdown low
A rapid drop in availability of construction subcontractors last month added further pressure to ongoing transport, staff and materials shortages, taking order books to the lowest level since the January lockdown, according to the...
Recession fear drives fall in construction confidence
Confidence amongst constructors dropped into negative territory last month for the first time since the initial Covid-19 wave and for only the sixth time on record amid expectations of a recession and poor demand...
Housebuilding declining, commercial growing, supply issues normalising – S&P
Mixed fortunes are highlighted in the latest S&P Global construction survey, with house building in deep decline while commercial grows, against a background that sees earlier serious supply problems continuing to normalise.
Improving supply issues,...
Price hikes hit manufacturers’ hopes after two years of growth
Product manufacturers reported an eighth successive quarter of sales growth in Q2, according to the Construction Products Association’s State of Trade Survey, but expectations have been dampened by accelerating cost inflation.
Within the overall, RMI...
More gloom ahead, say CPA and S&P
Further evidence of growing pessimism over the future of the industry has come from two reports this week, with the Construction Products Association forecasting a 3.9% drop in output next year and the latest...
Mixed reaction to plans to lower barrier on foreign workers to ease skills shortage
Government plans to ease the industry’s chronic shortfall of workers and skills by loosening the rules on employing foreign workers have had a mixed reception from industry bodies.
The aim to extend the existing Shortage...
Shortages, delays and price hikes halt construction growth
Transport shortages and delays as well as the sharpest rise in building costs for over two years helped bring an end to seven months of growth in UK construction output, according to the latest...
‘Business optimism lowest for two and a half years’
UK construction companies signalled a renewed slowdown in business activity growth during November, with optimism among businesses now at its lowest since May 2020, according to the latest S&P Global / CIPS UK survey.
Tim...
Rising costs continue to dampen product growth optimism
Light side construction products showed growth for a ninth quarter in succession while increases in energy, fuel and materials costs continue to add uncertainty to the immediate future, according to the Construction Products Association’s...
