THE Mineral Products Association (MPA) has highlighted new data that shows sales of heavy-side construction materials in Britain remain at ‘crisis levels’.
The Q3 figures reveal continued weakness in aggregates, concrete, and asphalt sales. The MPA’s survey — using sales volume data from its members — has been described as a ‘stark warning’ that the government needs to put business first in the Autumn Budget, to restore confidence, encourage investment, and support jobs.
Ready-mixed concrete sales fell by a further 0.8% in Q3 compared with Q2 and were 12% lower than a year earlier. Aggregates sales were broadly flat while asphalt volumes rose slightly (+2.5%) though sales this year remain below 2024 levels. Although mortar sales improved slightly (+1.0% this quarter) this should be set against a 30% drop over two years in 2023-4.
Across the country, MPA said ‘weak’ housebuilding and commercial construction continue to drag heavily on activity, offset only partly by infrastructure work.
The organisation warns that the sector remains under ‘severe strain’ after four consecutive years of declining sales. Businesses have shifted focus on to cost control and efficiency, with sites being mothballed, capacity reduced, and skilled workers losing their jobs.
Aurelie Delannoy, MPA director of economic affairs, said, “The latest data show that the construction downturn remains entrenched. The mineral products sector is having to operate at crisis levels, with no prospect of recovery in the near term.
“Construction materials are among the earliest indicators of real activity, and these figures send a clear warning to government ahead of the Autumn Budget: the UK needs decisive measures to unlock project delivery, rebuild confidence and get growth moving.”
Chris Leese, MPA executive chair, added, “Announcements about infrastructure and planning are all well and good, but for now they remain promises of ‘jam tomorrow’. They do nothing to address the collapse in demand that is draining jobs and capacity from our sector.
“Without urgent action that results in work on the ground now, the foundations of future delivery — the business investment, the production capacity and the skilled workforce — may not be there at sufficient scale when the country needs them.”
