THE Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has claimed a 2.2% rise in UK repair and maintenance building work in the three months to October 2023 is holding up an overall fall in construction activity.
The trade body was responding to the latest figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
FMB chief executive Brian Berry said it was disappointing to see October’s growth in construction output has declined by 0.5%, following the ‘seemingly positive’ figures released last month, which revealed 0.4% growth for September.
“Repair and maintenance building work has once again been positive, but unlike previous months the gains were not large enough to mask underlying issues, such as a decline in new housing,” he added. “Overall, the construction sector is struggling with the three months to October seeing a 0.3% decline, which is worrying, but small local builders committed to repair, and maintenance work are propping up the industry.”
